基地系列 Foundation and Earth 基地与地球【98更新47L_派派后花园

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[Novel] 基地系列 Foundation and Earth 基地与地球【98更新47L

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Part Four - Solaria Chapter 10: Robots
41Trevize seemed lost in thought during dinner, and Blissconcentrated on the food.
Pelorat, the only one who seemed anxious to speak, pointed out that ifthe world they were on was Aurora and if it was the first settled world,it ought to be fairly close to Earth.
"It might pay to scour the immediate stellar neighborhood," hesaid. "It would only mean sifting through a few hundred stars atmost."Trevize muttered that hit-and-miss was a last resort and he wanted asmuch information about Earth as possible before attempting to approachit even if he found it. He said no more and Pelorat, clearly squelched,dwindled into silence as well.
After the meal, as Trevize continued to volunteer nothing, Peloratsaid tentatively, "Are we to be staying here, Golan?""Overnight, anyway," said Trevize. "I need to do a bit morethinking.""Is it safe?""Unless there's something worse than dogs about," said Trevize,"we're quite safe here in the ship."Pelorat said, "How long would it take to lift off, if there issomething worse than dogs about?"Trevize said, "The computer is on launch alert. I think we can manageto take off in between two and three minutes. And it will warn us quiteeffectively if anything unexpected takes place, so I suggest we allget some sleep. Tomorrow morning, I'll come to a decision as to thenext move."Easy to say, thought Trevize, as he found himself staring at thedarkness. He was curled up, partly dressed, on the floor of the computerroom. It was quite uncomfortable, but he was sure that his bed would beno more conducive to sleep at this time and here at least he could takeaction at once if the computer sounded an alarm.
Then he heard footsteps and automatically sat up, hitting his headagainst the edge of the desk not hard enough to do damage, buthard enough to make rubbing and grimacing a necessity.
"Janov?" he said in a muffled voice, eyes tearing.
"No. It's Bliss."Trevize reached over the edge of the table with one hand to make atleast semicontact with the computer, and a soft light showed Bliss ina light pink wraparound.
Trevize said, "What is it?""I looked in your bedroom and you weren't there. There was no mistakingyour neuronic activity, however, and I followed it. You were clearlyawake so I walked in.""Yes, but what is it you want?"She sat down against the wall, knees up, and cradled her chin againstthem. She said, "Don't be concerned. I have no designs on what's leftof your virginity.""I don't imagine you do," said Trevize sardonically. "Why aren't youasleep? You need it more than we do.""Believe me," she said in a low, heartfelt tone, "that episode withthe dogs was very draining.""I believe that.""But I had to talk to you when Pel was sleeping.""About what?"Bliss said, "When he told you about the robot, you said that thatchanges everything. What did you mean?"Trevize said, "Don't you see that for yourself? We have three setsof coordinates; three Forbidden Worlds. I want to visit all three tolearn as much as possible about Earth before trying to reach it."He edged a bit closer so that he could speak lower still, then drewaway sharply. He said, "Look, I don't want Janov coming in here lookingfor us. I don't know what he'd think.""It's not likely. He's sleeping and I've encouraged that just a bit. Ifhe stirs, I'll know. Go on. You want to visit all three. What'schanged?""It wasn't part of my plan to waste time on any world needlessly. Ifthis world, Aurora, had been without human occupation for twenty thousandyears, then it is doubtful that any information of value has survived. Idon't want to spend weeks or months scrabbling uselessly about theplanetary surface, fighting off dogs and cats and bulls or whatever elsemay have become wild and dangerous, just on the hope of finding a scrap ofreference material amid the dust, rust, and decay. It may be that on oneor both of the other Forbidden Worlds there may be human beings and intactlibraries. So it was my intention to leave this world at once. We'dbe out in space now, if I had done so, sleeping in perfect security.""But?""But if there are robots still functioning on this world, they mayhave important information that we could use. They would be safer todeal with than human beings would be, since, from what I've heard,they must follow orders and can't harm human beings.""So you've changed your plan and now you're going to spend time onthis world searching for robots.""I don't want to, Bliss. It seems to me that robots can't last twentythousand years without maintenance. Yet since you've seen one witha spark of activity still, it's clear I can't rely on my commonsenseguesses about robots. I mustn't lead out of ignorance. Robots may bemore enduring than I imagine, or they may have a certain capacity forself-maintenance."Bliss said, "Listen to me, Trevize, and please keep thisconfidential.""Confidential?" said Trevize, raising his voice in surprise. "Fromwhom?""Sh! From Pel, of course. Look, you don't have to change yourplans. You were right the first time. There are no functioning robotson this world. I detect nothing.""You detected that one, and one is as good as ""I did not detect that one. It was nonfunctioning; long nonfunctioning.""You said ""I know what I said. Pel thought he saw motion and heard sound. Pelis a romantic. He's spent his working life gathering data, but that is adifficult way of making one's mark in the scholarly world. He would dearlylove to make an important discovery of his own. His finding of the word`Aurora' was legitimate and made him happier than you can imagine. Hewanted desperately to find more."Trevize said, "Are you telling me he wanted to make a discovery sobadly he convinced himself he had come upon a functioning robot whenhe hadn't?""What he came upon was a lump of rust containing no more consciousnessthan the rock against which it rested.""But you supported his story.""I could not bring myself to rob him of his discovery. He means somuch to me.
Trevize stared at her for a full minute; then he said, "Do you mindexplaining why he means so much to you? I want to know. Ireally want to know. To you he must seem an elderly man with nothingromantic about him. He's an Isolate, and you despise Isolates. You'reyoung and beautiful and there must be other parts of Gaia that havethe bodies of vigorous and handsome young men. With them you can havea physical relationship that can resonate through Gaia and bring peaksof ecstasy. So what do you an in Janov?"Bliss looked at Trevize solemnly. "Don't you love him?"Trevize shrugged and said, "I'm fond of him. I suppose you could say,in a nonsexual way, that I love him.""You haven't known him very long, Trevize. Why do you love him,in that nonsexual way of yours?"Trevize found himself smiling without being aware of it. "He's suchan odd fellow. I honestly think that never in his life hashe given a single thought to himself. He was ordered to go along with me,and he went. No objection. He wanted me to go to Trantor, but when I saidI wanted to go to Gaia, he never argued. And now he's come along withme in this search for Earth, though he must know it's dangerous. I feelperfectly confident that if he had to sacrifice his life for me orfor anyone he would, and without repining.""Would you give your life for him, Trevize?""I might, if I didn't have time to think. If I did have time to think,I would hesitate and I might funk it. I'm not as good as heis. And because of that, I have this terrible urge to protect and keephim good. I don't want the Galaxy to teach him not to begood. Do you understand? And I have to protect him from you particularly. I can't bear the thought of you tossing him aside whenwhatever nonsense amuses you now is done with.""Yes, I thought you'd think something like that. Don't you supposeI see in Pel what you see in him and even more so, since I cancontact his mind directly? Do I act as though I want to hurt him? WouldI support his fantasy of having seen a functioning robot, if it weren'tthat I couldn't bear to hurt him? Trevize, I am used to what you wouldcall goodness, for every part of Gaia is ready to be sacrificed for thewhole. We know and understand no other course of action. But we give upnothing in so doing, for each part is the whole, though I don't expectyou to understand that. Pel is something different."Bliss was no longer looking at Trevize. It was as though she weretalking to herself. "He is an Isolate. He is not selfless because he isa part of a greater whole. He is selfless because he is selfless. Doyou understand me? He has all to lose and nothing to gain, and yet heis what he is. He shames me for being what I am without fear of loss,when he is what he is without hope of gain."She looked up at Trevize again now, very solemnly. "Do you know howmuch more I understand about him than you possibly can? And do you thinkI would harm him in any way?"Trevize said, "Bliss, earlier today, you said, `Come, let us befriends,' and all I replied was, `If you wish.' That was grudging ofme, for I was thinking of what you might do to Janov. It is my turn,now. Come, Bliss, let us be friends. You can keep on pointing out theadvantage of Galaxia and I may keep on refusing to accept your arguments,but even so, and despite that, let us be friends." And he held outhis hand.
"Of course, Trevize," she said, and their hands gripped each otherstrongly.
42Trevize grinned quietly to himself. It was an internalgrin, for the line of his mouth didn't budge.
When he had worked with the computer to find the star (if any) of thefirst set of co-ordinates, both Pelorat and Bliss had watched intentlyand had asked questions. Now they stayed in their room and slept or,at any rate, relaxed, and left the job entirely to Trevize.
In a way, it was flattering, for it seemed to Trevize that by now theyhad simply accepted the fact that Trevize knew what he was doing andrequired no supervision or encouragement. For that matter, Trevize hadgained enough experience from the first episode to rely more thoroughlyon the computer and to feel that it needed, if not none, then at leastless supervision.
Another star luminous and unrecorded on the Galactic map-showedup. This second star was more luminous than the star about which Auroracircled, and that made it all the more significant that the star wasunrecorded in the computer.
Trevize marveled at the peculiarities of ancient tradition. Wholecenturies might be telescoped or dropped out of consciousnessaltogether. Entire civilizations might be banished into forgetfulness. Yetout of the midst of these centuries, snatched from those civilizations,might be one or two factual items that would be rememberedundistorted such as these co-ordinates.
He had remarked on this to Pelorat some time before, and Pelorathad at once told him that it was precisely this that made the studyof myths and legends so rewarding. "The trick is," Pelorat had said,"to work out or decide which particular components of a legend representaccurate underlying truth. That isn't easy and different mythologistsare likely to pick different components, depending, usually, on whichhappen to suit their particular interpretations." .
In any case, the star was right where Deniador's co-ordinates,corrected for time, said it would be. Trevize was prepared, at thismoment, to wager a considerable sum that the third star would be inplace as well. And if it was, Trevize was prepared to suspect that thelegend was further correct in stating that there were fifty ForbiddenWorlds altogether (despite the suspiciously even number) and to wonderwhere the other forty-seven might be.
A habitable world, Forbidden World, was found circling thestar and by this time its presence didn't cause even a ripple ofsurprise in Trevize's bosom. He had been absolutely sure it would bethere. He set the Far Star into a slow orbit about it.
The cloud layer was sparse enough to allow a reasonable view of thesurface from space. The world was a watery one, as almost all habitableworlds were. There was an unbroken tropical ocean and two unbrokenpolar oceans.
In one set of middle latitudes, there was a more or less serpentinecontinent encircling the world with bays on either side producing anoccasional narrow isthmus. In the other set of middle latitudes, theland surface was broken into three large parts and each of the threewere thicker north-south than the opposite continent was.
Trevize wished he knew enough climatology to be able to predict,from what he saw, what the temperatures and seasons might be like. Fora moment, he toyed with the idea of having the computer work on theproblem. The trouble was that climate was not the point at issue.
Much more important was that, once again, the computer detected noradiation that might be of technological origin. What his telescope toldhim was that the planet was not moth-eaten and that there were no signs ofdesert. The land moved backward in various shades of green, but there wereno signs of urban areas on the dayside, no lights on the nightside.
Was this another planet filled with every kind of life but human?
He rapped at the door of the other bedroom.
"Bliss?" he called out in a loud whisper, and rapped again.
There was a rustling, and Bliss's voice said, "Yes?""Could you come out here? I need your help ""If you wait just a bit, I'll make myself a bit presentable."When she finally appeared, she looked as presentable as Trevize hadever seen her. He felt a twinge of annoyance at having been made to wait,however, for it made little difference to him what she looked like. Butthey were friends now, and he suppressed the annoyance.
She said with a smile and in a perfectly pleasant tone, "What can Ido for you, Trevize?"Trevize waved at the viewscreen. "As you can see, we're passing overthe surface of what looks like a perfectly healthy world with a quitesolid vegetation cover over its land area. No lights at night, however,and no technological radiation. Please listen and tell me if there's anyanimal life. There was one point at which I thought I could see herdsof grazing animals, but I wasn't sure. It might be a case of seeing whatone desperately wants to see."Bliss "listened." At least, a curiously intent look came across herface. She said, "Oh yes rich in animal life.""Mammalian?""Must be.""Human?"Now she seemed to concentrate harder. A full minute passed, andthen another, and finally she relaxed. "I can't quite tell. Every oncein a while it seemed to me that I detected a whiff of intelligencesufficiently intense to be considered human. But it was so feeble andso occasional that perhaps I, too, was only sensing what I desperatelywanted to sense. You see "She paused in thought, and Trevize nudged her with a "Well?"She said, "The thing is I seem to detect something else. It is notsomething I'm familiar with, but I don't see how it can be anythingbut "Her face tightened again as she began to "listen" with still greaterintensity.
"Well?" said Trevize again.
She relaxed. "I don't see how it can be anything but robots.""Robots!""Yes, and if I detect them, surely I ought to be able to detect humanbeings, too. But I don't.""Robots!" said Trevize again, frowning.
"Yes," said Bliss, "and I should judge, in great numbers."43Pelorat also said "Robots!" in almost exactly Trevize'stone when he was told of them. Then he smiled slightly. "You were right,Golan, and I was wrong to doubt you.""I don't remember your doubting me, Janov.""Oh well, old man, I didn't think I ought to express it. I justthought, in my heart, that it was a mistake to leave Aurora while therewas a chance we might interview some surviving robot. But then it'sclear you knew there would be a richer supply of robots here.""Not at all, Janov. I didn't know . I merely chancedit. Bliss tells me their mental fields seem to imply they are fullyfunctioning, and it seems to me they can't very well be fully functioningwithout human beings about for care and maintenance. However, she can'tspot anything human so we're still looking."Pelorat studied the viewscreen thoughtfully. "It seems to be allforest, doesn't it?""Mostly forest. But there are clear patches that may be grasslands. Thething is that I see no cities, or any lights at night, or anything butthermal radiation at any time.""So no human beings after all?""I wonder. Bliss is in the galley trying to concentrate. I've setup an arbitrary prime meridian for the planet which means that it'sdivided into latitude and longitude in the computer. Bliss has a littledevice which she presses whenever she encounters what seems an unusualconcentration of robotic mental activity I suppose you can't say`neuronic activity' in connection with robots or any whiff ofhuman thought. The device is linked to the computer, which thus getsa fix on all the latitudes and longitudes, and we'll let it make thechoice among them and pick a good place for landing."Pelorat looked uneasy. "Is it wise to leave the matter of choice tothe computer?""Why not, Janov? It's a very competent computer. Besides, when youhave no basis on which to make a choice yourself, where's the harm inat least considering the computer's choice?"Pelorat brightened up. "There's something to that, Golan. Some of theoldest legends include tales of people making choices by tossing cubesto the ground.""Oh? What does that accomplish?""Each face of the cube has some decision onit yes no perhaps postpone and soon. Whichever face happens to come upward on landing would be taken asbearing the advice to be followed. Or they would set a ball rolling abouta slotted disc with different decisions scattered among the slots. Thedecision written on the slot in which the ball ends is to be taken. Somemythologists think such activities represented games of chance ratherthan lotteries, but the two are much the same thing in my opinion.""In a way," said Trevize, "we're playing a game of chance in choosingour place of landing."Bliss emerged from the galley in time to hear the last comment. Shesaid, "No game of chance. I pressed several `maybes' and then onesure-fire `yes,' and it's to the `yes' that we'll be going.""What made it a `yes'?" asked Trevize.
"I caught a whiff of human thought. Definite. Unmistakable."44It had been raining, for the grass was wet. Overhead,the clouds were scudding by and showing signs of breaking up.
The Far Star had come to a gentle rest near a small grove oftrees. (In case of wild dogs, Trevize thought, only partly in jest.) Allabout was what looked like pasture land, and coming down from the greaterheight at which a better and wider view had been possible, Trevize hadseen what looked like orchards and grain fields and this time,an unmistakable view of grazing animals.
There were no structures, however. Nothing artificial, except thatthe regularity of the trees in the orchard and the sharp boundaries thatseparated fields were themselves as artificial as a microwave-receivingpower station would have been.
Could that level of artificiality have been produced by robots,however? Without human beings?
Quietly, Trevize was putting on his holsters. This time, he knew thatboth weapons were in working order and that both were fully charged. Fora moment, he caught Bliss's eye and paused.
She said, "Go ahead. I don't think you'll have any use for them,but I thought as much once before, didn't I?"Trevize said, "Would you like to be armed, Janov?"Pelorat shuddered. "No, thank you. Between you and your physicaldefense, and Bliss and her mental defense, I feel in no danger at all. Isuppose it is cowardly of me to hide in your protective shadows, butI can't feel proper shame when I'm too busy feeling grateful that Ineedn't be in a position of possibly having to use force."Trevize said, "I understand. Just don't go anywhere alone. If Blissand I separate, you stay with one of us and don't dash off somewhereunder the spur of a private curiosity.""You needn't worry, Trevize," said Bliss. "I'll see to that."Trevize stepped out of the ship first. The wind was brisk and justa trifle cool in the aftermath of the rain, but Trevize found thatwelcome. It had probably been uncomfortably warm and humid before therain.
He took in his breath with surprise. The smell of the planet wasdelightful. Every planet had its own odor, he knew, an odor always strangeand usually distasteful perhaps only because it was strange. Mightnot strange be pleasant as well? Or was this the accident of catching theplanet just after the rain at a particular season of the year. Whicheverit was "Come on," he called. "It's quite pleasant out here."Pelorat emerged and said, "Pleasant is definitely the word for it. Doyou suppose it always smells like this?""It doesn't matter. Within the hour, we'll be accustomed to the aroma,and our nasal receptors will be sufficiently saturated, for us to smellnothing.""Pity," said Pelorat.
"The grass is wet," said Bliss, with a shade of disapproval.
"Why not? After all, it rains on Gaia, too!" said Trevize, and as hesaid that a shaft of yellow sunlight reached them momentarily througha small break in the clouds. There would soon be more of it.
"Yes," said Bliss, "but we know when and we're prepared for it.""Too bad," said Trevize; "you lose the thrill of the unexpected."Bliss said, "You're right. I'll try not to be provincial."Pelorat looked about and said, in a disappointed tone, "There seemsto be nothing about.""Only seems to be," said Bliss. "They're approaching from beyondthat rise." She looked toward Trevize. "Do you think we ought to go tomeet them?"Trevize shook his head. "No. We've come to meet them across manyparsecs. Let them walk the rest of the way. We'll wait for them here."Only Bliss could sense the approach until, from the direction of herpointing finger, a figure appeared over the brow of the rise. Then asecond, and a third.
"I believe that is all at the moment," said Bliss.
Trevize watched curiously. Though he had never seen robots, therewas not a particle of doubt in him that that was what they were. Theyhad the schematic and impressionistic shape of human beings and yet werenot obviously metallic in appearance. The robotic surface was dull andgave the illusion of softness, as though it were covered in plush.
But how did he know the softness was an illusion? Trevize felt a suddendesire to feel those figures who were approaching so stolidly. If it weretrue that this was a Forbidden World and that spaceships never approachedit and surely that must be so since the sun was not includedin the Galactic map then the Far Star and the people itcarried must represent something the robots had never experienced. Yetthey were reacting with steady certainty, as though they were workingtheir way through a routine exercise.
Trevize said, in a low voice, "Here we may have information we canget nowhere else in the Galaxy. We could ask them for the location ofEarth with reference to this world, and if they know, they will tellus. Who knows how long these things have functioned and endured? Theymay answer out of personal memory. Think of that.""On the other hand," said Bliss, "they may be recently manufacturedand may know nothing.""Or," said Pelorat, "they may know, but may refuse to tell us."Trevize said, "I suspect they can't refuse unless they've been orderednot to tell us, and why should such orders be issued when surely no oneon this planet could have expected our coming?"At a distance of about three meters, the robots stopped. They saidnothing and made no further movement.
Trevize, his hand on his blaster, said to Bliss, without taking hiseyes from the robot, "Can you tell whether they are hostile?""You'll have to allow for the fact that I have no experience whatsoeverwith their mental workings, Trevize, but I don't detect anything thatseems hostile."Trevize took his right hand away from the butt of the weapon, butkept it near. He raised his left hand, palm toward the robots, in what hehoped would be recognized as a gesture of peace and said, speaking slowly,"I greet you. We come to this world as friends."The central robot of the three ducked his head in a kind of abortivebow that might also have been taken as a gesture of peace by an optimist,and replied.
Trevize's jaw dropped in astonishment. In a world of Galacticcommunication, one did not think of failure in so fundamental aneed. However, the robot did not speak in Galactic Standard or anythingapproaching it. In fact, Trevize could not understand a word.
45Pelorat's surprise was as great as that of Trevize,but there was an obvious element of pleasure in it, too.
"Isn't that strange?" he said.
Trevize turned to him and said, with more than a touch of asperityin his voice, "It's not strange. It's gibberish."Pelorat said, "Not gibberish at all. It's Galactic, but very archaic. Icatch a few words. I could probably understand it easily if it werewritten down. It's the pronunciation that's the real puzzle.""Well, what did it say?""I think it told you it didn't understand what you said."Bliss said, "I can't tell what it said, but what I sense ispuzzlement, which fits. That is, if I can trust my analysis of roboticemotion or if there is such a thing as robotic emotion."Speaking very slowly, and with difficulty, Pelorat said something,and the three robots ducked their head in unison.
"What was that?" said Trevize.
Pelorat said, "I said I couldn't speak well, but I would try. I askedfor a little time. Dear me, old chap, this is fearfully interesting.""Fearfully disappointing," muttered Trevize.
"You see," said Pelorat, "every habitable planet in the Galaxy managesto work out its own variety of Galactic so that there are a milliondialects that are sometimes barely intercomprehensible, but they're allpulled together by the development of Galactic Standard. Assuming thisworld to have been isolated for twenty thousand years, the language wouldordinarily drift so far from that of the rest of the Galaxy as to be anentirely different language. That it isn't may be because the world hasa social system that depends upon robots which can only understand thelanguage as spoken in the fashion in which they were programmed. Ratherthan keep reprogramming, the language remained static and we now havewhat is to us merely a very archaic form of Galactic.""There's an example," said Trevize, "of how a robotized society canbe held static and made, to turn degenerate.""But, my dear fellow," protested Pelorat, "keeping a languagerelatively unchanged is not necessarily a sign of degeneration. There areadvantages to it. Documents preserved for centuries and millennia retaintheir meaning and give greater longevity and authority to historicalrecords. In the rest of the Galaxy, the language of Imperial edicts ofthe time of Hari Seldon already begins to sound quaint.""And do you know this archaic Galactic?""Not to say know , Golan. It's just that in studyingancient myths and legends I've picked up the trick of it. The vocabularyis not entirely different, but it is inflected differently, and thereare idiomatic expressions we don't use any longer and, as I have said,the pronunciation is totally changed. I can act as interpreter, but notas a very good one."Trevize heaved a tremulous sigh. "A small stroke of good fortune isbetter than none. Carry on, Janov."Pelorat turned to the robots, waited a moment, then looked back atTrevize. "What am I supposed to say?""Let's go all the way. Ask them where Earth is."Pelorat said the words one at a time, with exaggerated gestures ofhis hands.
The robots looked at each other and made a few sounds. The middleone then spoke to Pelorat, who replied while moving his hands apart asthough he were stretching a length of rubber. The robot responded byspacing his words as carefully as Pelorat had.
Pelorat said to Trevize, "I'm not sure I'm getting across what I meanby `Earth.' I suspect they think I'm referring to some region on theirplanet and they say they don't know of any such region.""Do they use the name of this planet, Janov?""The closest I can come to what I think they are using as the name is`Solaria.'""Have you ever heard of it in your legends?""No any more than I had ever heard of Aurora.""Well, ask them if there is any place named Earth in thesky among the stars. Point upward."Again an exchange, and finally Pelorat turned and said, "All I canget from them, Golan, is that there are no places in the sky."Bliss said, "Ask those robots how old they are; or rather, how longthey have been functioning.""I don't know how to say `functioning,'" said Pelorat, shaking hishead. In fact, I'm not sure if I can say `how old.' I'm not a very good interpreter.""Do the best you can, Pel dear," said Bliss.
And after several exchanges, Pelorat said, "They've been functioningfor twenty-six years.""Twenty-six years," muttered Trevize in disgust. "They're hardlyolder than you are, Bliss."Bliss said, with sudden pride, "It so happens ""I know. You're Gaia, which is thousands of years old. In anycase, these robots cannot talk about Earth from personal experience,and their memory-banks clearly do not include anything not necessary totheir functioning. So they know nothing about astronomy."Pelorat said, "There may be other robots somewhere on the planet thatare primordial, perhaps.""I doubt it," said Trevize, "but ask them, if you can find the wordsfor it, Janov."This time there was quite a long conversation and Pelorat eventuallybroke it off with a flushed face and a clear air of frustration.
"Golan," he said, "I don't understand part of what they're trying tosay, but I gather that the older robots are used for manual labor anddon't know anything. If this robot were a human, I'd say he spoke ofthe older robots with contempt. These three are house robots, they say,and are not allowed to grow old before being replaced. They're the oneswho really know things their words, not mine.""They don't know much," growled Trevize. "At least of the things wewant to know.""I now regret," said Pelorat, "that we left Aurora so hurriedly. Ifwe had found a robot survivor there, and we surely would have, sincethe very first one I encountered still had a spark of life left in it,they would know of Earth through personal memory.""Provided their memories were intact, Janov," said Trevize. "Wecan always go back there and, if we have to, dog packs or not, wewill. But if these robots are only a couple of decades old,there must be those who manufacture them, and the manufacturers must behuman, I should think." He turned to Bliss. "Are you sure you sensed "But she raised a hand to stop him and there was a strained and intentlook on her face. "Coming now," she said, in a low voice.
Trevize turned his face toward the rise and there, first appearingfrom behind it, and then striding toward them, was the unmistakablefigure of a human being. His complexion was pale and his hair light andlong, standing out slightly from the sides of his head. His face wasgrave but quite young in appearance. His bare arms and legs were notparticularly muscled.
The robots stepped aside for him, and he advanced till he stood intheir midst.
He then spoke in a clear, pleasant voice and his words, although usedarchaically, were in Galactic Standard, and easily understood.
"Greetings, wanderers from space," he said. "What would you withmy robots?"46Trevize did not cover himself with glory. He saidfoolishly, "You speak Galactic?"The Solarian said, with a grim smile, "And why not, since I am notmute?""But these?" Trevize gestured toward the robots.
"These are robots. They speak our language, as I do. But I amSolarian and hear the hyperspatial communications of the worlds beyondso that I have learned your way of speaking, as have my predecessors. Mypredecessors have left descriptions of the language, but I constantlyhear new words and expressions that change with the years, as though youSettlers can settle worlds, but not words. How is it you are surprisedat my understanding of your language?""I should not have been," said Trevize. "I apologize. It was justthat speaking to the robots, I had not thought to hear Galactic onthis world."He studied the Solarian. He was wearing a thin white robe, drapedloosely over his shoulder, with large openings for his arms. It was openin front, exposing a bare chest and loincloth below. Except for a pairof light sandals, he wore nothing else.
It occurred to Trevize that he could not tell whether the Solarianwas male or female. The breasts were male certainly but the chest washairless and the thin loincloth showed no bulge of any kind.
He turned to Bliss and said in a low voice, "This might still be arobot, but very like a human being in "Bliss said, her lips hardly moving, "The mind is that of a human being,not a robot."The Solarian said, "Yet you have not answered my original question. Ishall excuse the failure and put it down to your surprise. I now ask againand you must not fail a second time. What would you with my robots?"Trevize said, "We are travelers who seek information to reach ourdestination. We asked your robots for information that would help us,but they lacked the knowledge.""What is the information you seek? Perhaps I can help you.""We seek the location of Earth. Could you tell us that?"The Solarian's eyebrows lifted. "I would have thought that yourfirst object of curiosity would have been myself. I will supply thatinformation although you have not asked for it. I am Sarton Bander andyou stand upon the Bander estate, which stretches as far as your eye cansee in every direction and far beyond. I cannot say that you are welcomehere, for in coming here, you have violated a trust. You are the firstSettlers to touch down upon Solaria in many thousands of years and, asit turns out, you have come here merely to inquire as to the best wayof reaching another world. In the old days, Settlers, you and your shipwould have been destroyed on sight.""That would be a barbaric way of treating people who mean no harmand offer none," said Trevize cautiously.
"I agree, but when members of an expanding society set foot upon aninoffensive and static one, that mere touch is filled with potentialharm. While we feared that harm, we were ready to destroy those who cameat the instant of their coming. Since we no longer have reason to fear,we are, as you see, ready to talk."Trevize said, "I appreciate the information you have offered us sofreely, and yet you failed to answer the question I did ask. I willrepeat it. Could you tell us the location of the planet Earth?""By Earth, I take it you mean the world on which the human species,and the various species of plants and animals" his hand movedgracefully about as though to indicate all the surroundings aboutthem "originated.""Yes, I do, sir."A queer look of repugnance flitted over the Solarian's face. He said,"Please address me simply as Bander, if you must use a form of address. Donot address me by any word that includes a sign of gender. I am neithermale nor female. I am whole ."Trevize nodded (he had been right). "As you wish, Bander. What, then,is the location of Earth, the world of origin of all of us?"Bander said, "I do not know. Nor do I wish to know. If I did know,or if I could find out, it would do you no good, for Earth no longerexists as a world. Ah," he went on, stretching out his arms. "Thesun feels good. I am not often on the surface, and never when the sun doesnot show itself. My robots were sent to greet you while the sun was yethiding behind the clouds. I followed only when the clouds cleared.""Why is it that Earth no longer exists as a world?" said Trevizeinsistently, steeling himself for the tale of radioactivity onceagain.
Bander, however, ignored the question or, rather, put it to one sidecarelessly. "The story is too long," he said. "You told me that you camewith no intent of harm.""That is correct.""Why then did you come armed?""That is merely a precaution. I did not know what I might meet.""It doesn't matter. Your little weapons represent no danger tome. Yet I am curious. I have, of course, heard much of your arms, andof your curiously barbaric history that seems to depend so entirely uponarms. Even so, I have never actually seen a weapon. May I see yours?"Trevize took a step backward. "I'm afraid not, Bander."Bander seemed amused. "I asked only out of politeness. I need nothave asked at all."It held out its hand and from Trevize's right holster, there emergedhis blaster, while from his left holster, there rose up his neuronicwhip. Trevize snatched at his weapons but felt his arms held back asthough by stiffly elastic bonds. Both Pelorat and Bliss started forwardand it was clear that they were held as well.
Bander said, "Don't bother trying to interfere. You cannot." Theweapons flew to its hands and it looked them over carefully. "This one,"it said, indicating the blaster, "seems to be a microwave beamer thatproduces heat, thus exploding any fluid-containing body. The other ismore subtle, and, I must confess, I do not see at a glance what it isintended to do. However, since you mean no harm and offer no harm, youdon't need arms. I can, and I do, bleed the energy content of the unitsof each weapon. That leaves them harmless unless you use one or the otheras a club, and they would be clumsy indeed if used for that purpose."The Solarian released the weapons and again they drifted throughthe air, this time back toward Trevize. Each settled neatly into itsholster.
Trevize, feeling himself released, pulled out his blaster, but therewas no need to use it. The contact hung loosely, and the energy unithad clearly been totally drained. That was precisely the case with theneuronic whip as well.
He looked up at Bander, who said, smiling, "You are quite helpless,Outworlder. I can as easily, if I so desired, destroy your ship and,of course, you."




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第三部 奥罗拉星 第八章 禁忌世界
 31
“葛兰,”裴洛拉特说:“我在旁边看,会不会打扰你?”
“一点都下会,詹诺夫。”崔维兹说。
“如果我问问题呢?”
“问吧。”
于是裴洛拉特问道:“你到底在做什么?”
崔维兹将视线从显像屏幕栘开。“只要是屏幕上看起来很接近那个禁忌世界的恒星,每一颗的距离我都得测量出来,这样我才能断定它们真正的距离。我必须知道它们的着力场,所以需要质量和距离的数据。如果缺乏这些资料,就无法保证能做一次成功的跃迁。”
“你怎么做呢?”
“嗯,我看到的每一颗恒星,电脑记忆库中都存有它的座标,这些座标可转换成康普隆的座标系统。接下来,根据远星号在太空中相对于康普隆之阳的位置,再做小幅度的修正,就能得到每颗恒星和我们的距离。屏幕上看来,那些红矮星都很接近那个禁忌世界,伹事实上有些可能更近,有些其实则更远。我们需要知道它们的三维位置,你懂了吧。”
裴洛拉特点了点头。“你已经有了那个禁忌世界的座标……”
“没错,但那不够,我还需要知道其他恒星的距离——误差可以容许在百分之一左右;在那个禁忌世界附近,那些恒星的着力场强度都很小,些许误差不会造成明显的差别。而那个禁忌世界环绕的太阳,或是说可能拥有禁忌世界的那颗恒星,在禁忌世界附近产生的着力场却很强,我必须知道它精确的距离,精确度至少得是其他恒星的一千倍,单有座标无法做到这点。”
“那你该怎么做呢?”
“我测量出那个禁忌世界——或者应该说它的恒星——与附近三颗恒星的视距离。那三颗恒星都很暗淡,需要放大许多倍才看得清楚,因此,它们的距离想必都很远。然后,我们将其中一颗摆在屏幕中央,再向一侧跃迁十分之一秒差距,跃迁的方向垂直于对禁忌世界的视线。由于附近没有什么恒星,即使我们不知道较远处星体的距离,这样的跃迁仍然很安全。
“在跃迁之后,位于中央的那颗参考恒星仍缓篝在原处,如果三颗恒星距离我们真的很远,其他两颗暗星的位置也不会有什么变化。然而,那个禁忌世界的恒星距离较近,因此会有视差移位产生,从移位的大小,我们便能决定它和我们之间的距离。假如我想验证一次,我可以另选三颗恒星,着新再试一遍。”
裴洛拉特说:“总共要花多少时间?”
“不会太久,繁着的工作都由电脑负责,我只要发号施令就行了。真正花时间的工作,是我必须研究测量的结果,确定它们都没问题,还有我的指令没有任何失误。如果我是那种蛮勇之徒,对自己和电脑具有完全的信心,那么几分钟内就能完成了。”
裴洛拉特说:“真是太奇妙了,想想电脑能帮我们做多少事。”
“这个我一向心里有数。”
“假如没有电脑,你要怎么办?”
“假如没有着力太空船,我要怎么办?假如我未受过太空航行训练,我要怎么办?假如没有两万年的超空间科技做我的后盾,我又要怎么办?事实上我就是现在这样——在此时,在此地。倘若我们想像自己身处两万年后的未来,我们又要赞叹什么样的科技奇迹?或者有没有可能,两万年后人类己不复存在?”
“几乎不可能,”裴洛拉特说:“几乎不可能不存在。即使我们没成为盖娅星系的一部分,我们仍有心理史学指导我们。”
崔维兹在椅子上转过身来,双手松开电脑。“让它计算距离吧,”他说:“让它着复检查几遍,我们反正不急。”
他用怪异的眼光望着裴洛拉特,又说:“心理史学!你知道的,詹诺夫,在康普隆上,这个话题出现了两次,每次都被斥为迷信。我自己说过一次,后来丹尼亚多也提到了。毕竟,除了说它是基地的迷信,你又能如何定义心理史学?它难道下是一种没有证明和证据的信仰吗?你怎么想,詹诺夫?这个问题应该比较接近你的领域。”
裴洛拉特说:“你为什么要说没证据呢,葛兰?哈里·谢顿的拟像已经在穹窿中出现许多次,每当着大事件发生时,他就会针对时势侃侃而谈。当年,他若是无法使用心理史学的方法做出预测,就不可能知道未来才会发生的事件。”
崔维兹点了点头。“听起来的确不简单,即使有过一次失误,没能预测到骡,那仍是不简单的事。但话说回来,它还是令人感到邪门,有点像是魔术,任何术士都会玩这种把戏。”
“没有任何术士能预测几世纪后的事。”
“没有任何术士能创造奇迹,只是让你信以为真罢了。”
“拜托,葛兰,我想不出有什么伎俩,能让我预测五个世纪后会发生什么。”
“你也无法想像有什么伎俩,能让一个术士读取藏在无人轨道卫星中的讯息。然而,我就目睹一个术士做到这一点。你有没有想过,定时信囊以及哈里·谢顿的拟像,也许都是政府一手导演出来的?”
裴洛拉特对这种说法显得相当反感。“他们不会那么做。”
崔维兹发出一下轻蔑的嘘声。
裴洛拉特说:“假如他们企图这样做,一定会被逮到的。”
“这点我不敢肯定。不过,问题是我们不知道心理史学如何运作。”
“我也不知道那台电脑如何运作,可是我知道它的确有用。”
“那是因为还有别人知道它如何运作,如果没有任何人知道,又会是什么样的情况?那样的话,要是它因为某种原因停摆,我们都会变得一筹莫展。如果心理史学突然失灵……”
“第二基地人知道心理史学的运作方式。”
“你又怎么晓得,詹诺夫?”
“大家都这么说。”
“什么事大家都可以说——啊,禁忌世界的恒星和我们的距离算出来了,我希望算得非常精确,让我们来推敲一下这组数字。”
他盯着那组数字良久,嘴唇还不时蠕动,彷佛心中正做着一些概略的计算。最后,他终于开口,不过眼睛没扬起来。“宝绮思在做什么?”
“在睡觉,老弟。”然后,裴洛拉特又为她辩护道:“她很需要睡眠,葛兰。跨越超空间而维持为盖娅的一部分,是很消耗精力的一件事。”
“我想也是。”崔维兹说完,又转过身面对电脑,他将双手放在桌面上,喃喃说道:“我要让它分成几次跃迁前进,并且每次都要着新检查。”然后他将双手又收回来,“我是说真的,詹诺夫,你对心理史学知道多少?”
裴洛拉特好像有点意外。“一窍不通。身为历史学家,比如像我,和身为心理史学家简直有天壤之别。当然啦,我知道心理史学的两个根本基石,但是这点每个人都晓得。”
“连我都知道。第一个条件是涉及的人口数目必须足够庞大,才能使用统计方式处理。可是多大才算‘足够庞大’呢?”
裴洛拉特说:“银河人口的最新估计值是一万兆左右,也许还低估了。当然啦,这是绝对够大了。”
“你怎么知道?”
“因为心理史学的确有效,葛兰。不论你如何强词夺理,它的确有效啊。”
“而第二个条件,”崔维兹又说:“是人类不能知晓心理史学,否则他们的反应会产生偏差——可是大家都晓得有心理史学啊。”
“只是知道它的存在罢了,老弟,那不能算数。第二个条件其实是说,人类不能知晓心理史学所做的预测,而大家的确不知道。唯有第二基地人才应该晓得,但他们是特例。”
“仅仅以这两个条件为基础,就能建立起心理史学这门科学,实在令人难以置信。”
“并非仅仅根据这两个条件,”裴洛拉特说:“其中还牵涉到高等数学和精密的统计方法。据说——如果你想听听口述历史——哈里·谢顿当初开创心理史学,是以气体运动论为蓝本。气体中的每个原子或分子都在做随机运动,因此我们无法知道任何一个的位置或速度。然而,利用统计学,我们能导出描述它们整体行为的精确规律。根据这个原则,谢顿企图解出人类社会的整体行为,虽然这个解不适用于人类个体。”
“或许如此,但人类并不是原子。”
“没错,”裴洛拉特说:“人类具有意识,行为复杂到足以显现自由意志。谢顿究竟如何处理这个问题,我完全没概念,即使有懂得的人设法向我解释,我也确定自己无法了解。可是无论如何,他的确成功了。”
崔维兹说:“因此这个理论想要成立,必须有为数众多而不明就里的一群人。你难道不觉得,这么巨大的一个数学架构,是建立在松软的基础上吗?如果这两个条件无法真正满足,那么一切都会垮台。”
“可是既然谢顿计画没垮……”
“或者,假如这两个条件并非完全不合或不足,只是比理论预期的弱一些,那么心理史学也许能有效运作好几世纪,然后,在遇到某个特殊危机时,它便会在一夕之间垮掉——就像当初骡出现时,它暂时垮掉那样。此外,如果还应该有第三个条件呢?”
“什么第三个条件?”裴洛拉特微微皱起眉头。
“我也下知道,”崔维兹说:“一个论述也许表面上完全合乎逻辑,而且绝妙无比,却隐含了某些未曾言明的假设。也许这第三个条件,是大家视为理所当然的假设,所以从来没人想到过。”
“如果一个假设被视为如此理所当然,通常都是相当正确的,否则的话,就不可能被视为如此理所当然。”
崔维兹嗤之以鼻。“如果你对科学史和对传说历史一样了解,詹诺夫,你就会知道这种说法错得有多严着——不过我想,我们已经来到那个禁忌世界的太阳附近了。”
的确,屏幕正中央出现了一颗明后的恒星。由于太过明后,屏幕自动将它的光芒滤掉大部分,其他恒星因而尽数从屏幕上消失。
32
远星号上的洗濯与个人卫生设备十分精简,用水量永远维持合理的最小值,以免回收系统超过负荷。这一点,崔维兹曾板着脸提醒裴洛拉特与宝绮思。
尽避如此,宝绮思总有办法随时保持清爽光鲜,她乌黑的长发永远有着后丽的光泽,她的指甲也始终明后耀眼。
此时,她走进驾驶舱,说道:“你们在这儿啊!”
崔维兹抬起头来。“用不着惊讶。我们几乎不可能离开太空船,即使你无法用心灵侦测到我们的行踪,只要花上三十秒,就一定能在太空船中找到我们。”
宝绮思说:“这句话纯然是一种问候,不该照字面解释,你自己其实很清楚这点。现在我们在哪里?可别说‘在驾驶舱中’。”
“宝绮思吾爱,”裴洛拉特说着伸出一只手。“我们现在,是在那个禁忌世界所属行星系的外围区域。”
她走到裴洛拉特身旁,将一只手轻放在他的肩上,他则用手臂环住她的腰。她说:“它不会是什么真正的禁忌,我们未受任何阻拦。”
崔维兹说:“它之所以成为禁忌,是因为康普隆和其他第二波殖民者建立的世界,刻意和第一波殖民者——外世界人所建立的世界隔离。如果我们自己没感受到这种刻意的限制,又有什么能阻止我们?”
“那些外世界人,如果还有任何人存留下来,或许也会刻意和第二波殖民世界隔离。虽然我们不介意侵入他们的领域,这绝不代表他们也不介意。”
“说得很对,”崔维兹道:“如果他们还在,的确会是如此。伹直到现在,我们甚至还不知道他们的行星是否存在。目前为止,我们所看到的只有普通的气态巨行星,总共有两颗,而且不是特别大。”
裴洛拉特连忙说:“但这并下代表外世界人已不存在,可住人世界一律很接近太阳,体积也比气态巨行星小很多,而且在这个距离,闪焰使我们极难侦测到它们。我们得藉由微跃到达内围,以便侦测这些行星。”能像个老练的太空旅人一样说得头头是道,似乎令他相当骄傲。
“这样的话,”宝绮思说:“我们现在为何不向内围前进?”
“时辰未到,”崔维兹说:“我正在叫电脑尽量侦察人工天体的迹象,我们要分几个阶段向内挺进——如果有必要,分成十几个阶段都行——每次都要停下来侦察一番。我不希望这次又中了圈套,就像我们首度接近盖哑那样。还记得吧,詹诺夫?”
“我们每逃诩有可能落入那种圈套,盖哑的圈套却为我带来宝绮思。”裴洛拉特以爱怜的眼光凝视着她。
崔维兹咧嘴冷笑了一下。“你希望每逃诩有个新的宝绮思吗?”
裴洛拉特露出一副委屈的表情,宝绮思带着微嗔说:“我的好兄弟,或者不管裴坚持叫你什么,你最好快些向内围前进。只要有我跟你在一起,你就不会落入圈套。”
“靠盖娅的力量?”
“侦测其他心灵的存在?当然没问题。”
“你确定自己的力量够强吗,宝绮思?你为了和盖哑主体维持联系而消耗的体力,我猜一定得睡很久才能补回来。你现在和力量的源头距离那么远,能力也许大大受限,我又能仰仗你多少呢?”
宝绮思涨红了脸。“联系的力量足够强大。”
崔维兹说:“别生气,我只不过问问而已。你难道看不出来,这就是身为盖哑的缺点之一吗?我不是盖娅,我是个完整的、独立的个体,这表示我能随心所欲到处旅行,不论离开我的世界、我的同胞多远都可以,我始终还是葛兰·崔维兹。我拥有的各种能力,我会继续保有,无论到哪里都不会有任何变化。假如我孤独地在太空中,几秒差距之内没有任何人类,又由于某种原因,无法以任何方式跟任何人联络,甚趾蟋天上的星星都看不见一颗,我依旧是葛兰·崔维兹。我也许无法生还,我可能因此死去,但我至死仍是葛兰·崔维兹。”
宝绮思说:“孤独一人在太空中,远离所有的人,你就无法向你的同胞求助,也无法仰赖他们的各种才能和知识。独自一人,身为一个孤立的个体,和你身为整体社会的一份子比较,你会变得渺小得可怜。”
崔维兹说:“然而,这种渺小和你如今的情况不同。你和盖娅间有个键结,它比我和社会间的联系要强得多,而且这个键结可以一直延伸,甚至能跨越超空间,可是它需要靠能量来维持。因此你一定会累得气喘吁吁,我是指心灵上的,并且感到自己的能力被大大削弱,这种感觉会比我的强烈许多。”
宝绮思年轻的脸庞突然显得分外凝着,一时之间,她似乎不再年轻,或者说根本看不出年龄。她已经不只是宝绮思,而变得更像盖哑,仿佛欲藉此反驳崔维兹的论调。她说:“即使你说的每件事都对,葛兰·崔维兹——过去、现在、未来你都是你,或许不会减少一分,却也一定不会增加丝毫——即使你说的每件事都对,你以为天下有白吃的午餐吗?难道做个像你这样的恒温动物,不比一条鱼,或是其他的变温动物要好吗?”
裴洛拉特说:“陆龟就是变温动物,端点星上没有,不过有些世界上看得到。它们是一种有壳的动物,动作缓慢而寿命极长。”
“很好,那么,身为人类难道不比做陆龟好吗?不论在任何温度下,人类都能维持快速行动,不会变得慢吞吞的。人类能支持高能量的活动、迅速收缩的肌肉、迅速运作的神经纤维,以及旺盛而持久的思考——这难道不比爬行缓慢、感觉迟钝、对周遭一切仅有模糊意识的陆龟好得多吗?对不对?”
“我同意,”崔维兹说:“的确是这样,伹这又怎么样?”
“嗯,难道你不知道,做恒温动物是要付出代价的?为了使你的体温高于环境温度,你消耗的能量必须比陆龟奢侈得多,你得几乎不停地进食,急速补充从你身上流失的能量。你会比陆龟更容易感到饥饿,而且也会死得更快。你愿意当一只陆龟,过着迟缓而长寿的生活吗?或是你宁可付出代价,做一个行动迅速、感觉敏锐而具有思考能力的生物?”
“这是个正确的类比吗,宝绮思?”
“不是的,崔维兹,因为盖娅的情况还要好得多。当我们紧紧连在一起的时候,我们不会耗费太多能量;只有部分的盖哑和其他部分相隔超空间距离时,能量的消耗才会升高——别忘了,你选择的并不只是个大型的盖哑,下是个较大的单一世界;你所选择的是盖娅星系,一个由众多世界构成的庞大复合体。不论身在银河哪个角落,你都会是盖哑星系的一部分,你将被它某些部分紧紧包围,它的范围从每个星际原子一直延伸到中央黑洞。到那个时候,维系整体只需要少许的能量,因为没有任何部分和其他部分距离更远。你的决定将导致所有这些结果,崔维兹,你怎能怀疑自己的抉择不好?”
崔维兹低头沉思良久,最后终于抬起头来说:“我的选择也许很好,可是我必须找到切实的证据。我做的决定是人类历史上最着要的事,光说它好还不够,我必须知道它的确好才行。”
“我已经跟你讲了这么多,你还需要什么?”
“我也不知道,伹我会在地球上找到答案。”他说得斩钉截铁。
裴洛拉特说:“葛兰,那颗恒星成了一个圆盘。”
的确如此。电脑一直忙着自己的工作,丝毫不理会环绕在周围的任何争论,它指挥太空艇逐步接近那颗恒星,如今已来到崔维兹所设定的距离。
此时,他们仍旧远离行星轨道面。电脑将屏幕画分成三部分,分别显示三颗小型的内行星。
位于最内围的那颗行星,表面温度在液态水范围内,并且具有含氧的大气层。崔维兹静候电脑计算出它的轨道,初步的粗略估计似乎很有希望。他让计算继续做下去,因为对行星的运动观察得越久,各项轨道参数的计算就能做得越精确。
崔维兹以相当平静的口吻说:“我们看到了一颗可住人行星,极有可能可以住人。”
“啊——”在裴洛拉特一贯严肃的表情上,显露出最接近喜悦的神色。
“不过,”崔维兹说:“只怕没有巨型的卫星。事实上,直到目前为止,还没侦测到任何类型的卫星。所以它不是地球,至少和传说中的地球下合。”
“别担心这点,葛兰。”裴洛拉特说:“我看到气态巨行星都没有不寻常的行星环时,就料到可能不会在这里发现地球。”
“很好,那么,”崔维兹说:“下一步是看看上面有什么样的生命。根据它具有含氧大气层这个事实,我们绝对可以肯定上面有植物生命,不过……”
“也有动物生命,”宝绮思突然说:“而且数量很多。”
“什么?”崔维兹转头望向她。
“我能感测到。虽然在这个距离只有模糊的感觉,伹我肯定这颗行星不只可以住人,而且无疑已有居民存在。”
33
远星号目前在这个禁忌世界的绕极轨道上,由于距离地表还相当远,轨道周期维持在六逃卩一点,崔维兹似乎不急着离开这个轨道。
“既然这颗行星已有人居住,”他解释道:“而根据丹尼亚多的说法,上面的居民曾一度是科技先进的人类,也就是第一波殖民者,所谓的外世界人,如今他们可能仍拥有先进的科技,对我们这些取而代之的第二波殖民者也许不会有什么好感。我希望他们能自动现身,这样的话,在我们冒险登陆之前,可以先对他们有点了解。”
“他们也许不知道我们在这里。”裴洛拉特说。
“换成我们的话,我们就会知道。因此我必须假设,如果他们真正存在,很可能会试图跟我们接触,甚至想升空追捕我们。”
“但如果他们真出来追捕我们,而且他们的科技非常进步,我们也许会束手无策……”
“我可不相信,”崔维兹说:“科技的进步不一定能面面俱到,他们可能在某些方面超越我们许多,但他们对星际旅行显然不热衷。因为开拓整个银河的是我们不是他们,而在帝国历史中,我没见过有任何纪录提到他们离开自己的世界,出现在我们眼前。如果他们一直未曾进行太空旅行,怎么可能在太空航行学上做出着大进展?我们或许毫无武装,但即使他们大举出动战舰追捕我们,我们也不可能被他们抓到——不会的,我们不会束手无策。”
“他们的进步也许是在精神力学方面,可能骡就是外世界人……”
崔维兹耸了耸肩,显然很不高兴。“骡不能是所有的东西。盖娅人说他是他们的畸变种,也有人认为他是偶发的突变异种。”
裴洛拉特说:“事实上,还有些其他的臆测——当然,没有人当真——说他是个人造的机械。换句话说,就是机器人,只不过没人用那个字眼。”
“假如真有什么具有危险精神力量的东西,我们就要靠宝绮思来化解。她可以——对了,她在睡觉吗?”
“她睡了好一阵子,”裴洛拉特说:“不过我出来时,看到她动了一下。”
“动了一下,是吗?喂,如果有任何事故发生,她必须一叫就醒。这件事你要负责,詹诺夫。”
“好的,葛兰。”裴洛拉特以平静的口吻答道。
崔维兹又将注意力转向电脑。“有件事困扰着我,就是那些入境站。一般说来,它们是种确切的迹象,代表行星上住着拥有高科技的人类。可是这些……”
“它们有什么不对劲吗?”
“有几个问题。第一,它们的式样古老,可能已有几千年的历史。第二,除了热辐射外,没有其他任何的辐射。”
“什么是热辐射?”
“温度高于周遭环境的任何物体,都会发出热辐射。每样东西都能产生这种熟悉的讯号,它具有宽广的频带,由温度决定能量的分布模式,那些入境站发出的就是这种辐射。如果上面有正在运转的人工设备,必定会漏出一些其他的非随机辐射。既然现在只有热辐射,我们可以假设入境站是空的,也许已经空置了几千年;反之,上面若是有人,那些人在这方面的科技就极其先进,有办法不让其他的辐射外泄。”
“也有可能,”裴洛拉特说:“这个行星拥有高度文明,但入境站却被空置,因为我们这些银河殖民者让这颗行星遗世独立太久,他们早已不再担心会有任何外人接近。”
“可能吧。或者,它可能是某种诱饵。”
此时宝绮思走进来,崔维兹从眼角瞥见她,便没好气地说:“没错,我们在这里。”
“我知道,”宝绮思说:“而且仍在原来的轨道上,这点我还看得出来。”
裴洛拉特连忙解释:“葛兰十分谨慎,亲爱的。那些入境站似乎没有人,我们不确定这代表什么。”
“这点根本下必操心,”宝绮思以毫不在乎的口气说:“我们如今环绕的这颗行星,上面侦测不到任何智慧生命的迹象。”
崔维兹低头瞪着她,显得惊讶万分。“你说什么?你说过……”
“我说过这颗行星上有动物生命,这点的确没错,但银河中究竟哪个人告诉过你,说动物指的一定是人类?”
“你刚侦测到动物生命的时候,为什么不说清楚呢?”
“因为在那么远的距离,我还没办法判别。我只能确定侦测到了动物神经活动的脉动,可是在那种强度下,我无法分辨蝴蝶和人类。”
“现在呢?”
“我们现在近多了,你也许以为我刚才在睡觉,事实上我没有——或者说,顶多睡了一下子。我刚才,用个不恰当的动词,正在尽全力倾听,想要听到足够复杂而能代表智慧生命的精神活动迹象。”
“结果什么都没有?”
“我敢说,”宝绮思的口气突然变得谨慎,“如果我在这个距离还侦测不到什么,那么在这颗行星上,人类的数目顶多下会超过几千。假使我们再靠近点,我就能判断得更精确。”
“嗯,这就使得情况大不相同。”崔维兹说,声音中带着几许困惑。
“我认为,”宝绮思看来很困,因此脾气十分暴躁。“你现在可以中止那些什么辐射分析啦,推理啦,演绎啦,还有天晓得你在做些什么别的。我的盖娅知觉能做得更准确、更有效率。也许你现在可以明白,为什么我说当盖娅人要比当孤立体好。”
崔维兹没立刻答话,显然是在努力克制自己的火气。当他再度开口时,用的竟然是很客气,而且几乎正式的口吻。“我很感谢您提供这些消息。然而,您必须知道一件事。打个比方吧,即使我想让嗅觉变得更灵敏,因为这样有很多好处,这个动机却不足以令我放弃人身,甘心变成一只血兽。”
34
当太空艇来到云层下方,在大气层中飘移时,那个禁忌世界终于呈现在他们眼前,看起来出奇地老旧。
极地是一片冰雪,跟他们预料的一样,不过范围下太大。山区都是不毛之地,偶尔还能看到冰河,但冰河的范围同样不大。此外还有些小辨模的沙漠地带,在各处散布得相当均匀。
如果暂且不考虑这些,这颗行星其实能变得十分美丽。它的陆地面积相当广大,不过形状歪歪扭扭,因此具有极长的海岸线,以及非常辽阔的沿岸平原。它还有苍翠茂盛的热带与温带森林,周围环绕着草原。纵然如此,它老旧的面貌仍极其明显。
在森林中有许多半秃的区域,部分的草原也显得稀疏乾瘦。
“某种植物病虫害吗?”裴洛拉特感到很奇怪。
“不是,”宝绮思缓缓道:“比那更糟,而且更不易复原。”
“我见过许多世界,”崔维兹说:“可是从未目睹像这样的。”
“我见过的世界很少,”宝绮思说:“不过依我/我们/盖哑之见,这个世界的人类想必已经绝迹。”
“为什么?”崔维兹说。
“想想看吧,”宝绮思的口气相当锋利,“没有一个住人世界拥有真正的生态平衡。地球必定有过这种平衡,因为它若是演化出人类的那个世界,就一定曾有很长一段时期,上面没有人类,也没有其他能发展出先进科技、有能力改造环境的物种。在那种情况下,一定会有一种自然平衡——当然,它会不停变化。然而,在所有其他的住人世界上,人类皆曾仔细改造他们的新环境,并且引进各种动植物,可是他们创造的生态系将注定失衡。它只会保有种类有限的物种,若非人类想要的,便是不得不引进的……”
裴洛拉特说:“你知道这让我想起什么吗?对不起,宝绮思,我插个嘴,伹这实在太吻合了,我忍不住现在就要告诉你们,免得待会儿忘了。我曾经读过一则古老的创世神话,根据这则神话,生命是在某颗行星形成的,那里的物种种类有限,伹都是对人类有用、或是人类喜欢的。后来,最早一批人类做了件蠢事——别管那是什么,老夥伴,因为那些古老神话通常都是象徵性的,如果对其中的内容太过认真,只会把人搞得更糊涂——结果,那颗行星的土壤受到了诅咒。‘必给你长出荆棘和蒺藜来’,那个诅咒是这么说的。不过这段话是以古银河文写成,如果照原文念会更有味道。然而,问题是它真是诅咒吗?人类不喜欢或不想要的东西,例如荆棘和蒺藜,也许是维持生态平衡所必需的。”
宝绮思微微一笑。“实在不可思议,裴,怎么每件事都会让你想起一则传说,而它们有时又那么有启发性。人类在改造一个世界时,总是忽略了荆棘和蒺藜,姑且不管那些是什么东西,然后他们便得竭力使这个世界维持正常发展。它不像盖哑是个自给自足的有机体,而是一群混杂的孤立体构成的集合,但这群混杂的孤立体却未臻完美,因此无法使得生态平衡永远维持下去。假如人类消失了,就如同指导者的双手不见了,整个世界的生命型态注定会开始崩溃,行星本身将出现反改造的现象。”
崔维兹以怀疑的口吻说:“假如真会发生这种事,它也不会很快发生。这个世界也许已经两万年毫无人迹,但大部分似乎仍旧‘照常营业’。”
“当然啦,”宝绮思说:“这要看当初的生态平衡建立得多完善。如果一开始是个相当良好的平衡,在失去人类之后,仍然可能维持长久的时间。毕竟,两万年对人类而言虽然很长,跟行星的寿命比较起来,却只是一夕之间的事。”
“我想,”裴洛拉特一面说,一面专心凝视行星的景观。“如果这颗行星的环境正在恶化,我们就能确定人类都走光了。”
宝绮思说:“我仍然侦测不到人类层次的精神活动,所以我猜这颗行星确实没有任何人类。下过,一直有些较低层意识产生的嗡嗡声,层次的高度足以代表鸟类和哺乳动物。可是我仍无法确定,反改造的秤谌是否足以显示人类已经绝迹。即使一颗行星上有人类居住,如果那个社会不正常,不了解保护环境的着要性,生态环境还是有可能恶化。”
“不用说,”裴洛拉特说:“这样的社会很快就会遭到毁灭。我不相信有任何人类,会不了解保护自己赖以维生的资源有多着要。”
宝绮思说:“我没有你那种对人类理性的乐观信心,裴。我觉得,如果一个行星社会完全由孤立体组成,那么可想而知,为了局部的利益,甚至为了个人的利益,就很容易使人忘却行星整体的安危。”
“我不认为那是可想而知,”崔维兹说:“我站在裴洛拉特这一方。事实上,既然有人居住的世界数以千万计,却没一个因为反改杂邙环境恶化,你对孤立体的恐惧可能夸大了,宝绮思。”
太空艇此时驶出昼半球,进入黑夜的范围。感觉上像是暮色迅疾加深,然后外面就成了一片黑暗,只有在经过晴朗的天空时,还能看到一些星光。
藉着精确监看大气压与着力强度,远星号得以维持褂讪的高度。他们目前保持的这个高度,绝对不会撞到隆起的群山,因为这颗行星已经许久未有造山运动。不过为了预防万一,电脑仍然利用“微波指尖”在前面探路。
崔维兹一面凝视逃陟绒般的黑夜,一面若有所思地说:“我总是认为,要确定一颗行星毫无人迹,最可靠的徵状就是暗面完全没有可见光。任何拥有科技的文明,都无法忍受黑暗的环境——一旦进入日面,我们就要降低高度。”
“那样做有什么用?”裴洛拉特说:“下面什么都没有。”
“谁说什么都没有?”
“宝绮思说的,你也这么说过。”
“不是的,詹诺夫。我是说没有科技导致的辐射,宝绮思是说没有人类精神活动的迹象,但这并不代表下面什么也没有。即使这颗行星上没有人类,也一定会有某些遗迹。我要寻找的是线索,詹诺夫,就这点而言,科技文明的残留物就可能有;用。”
“经过两万年之后?”裴洛拉特的音调逐渐提高,“你认为有什么东西能维持两万年?这里不会有任何的胶卷、纸张、印刷品。金属会生銹,木材会腐烂,塑料会碎成颗粒,甚至石头都会粉碎或遭到侵蚀。”
“也许没有两万年那么久,”崔维兹耐心地说:“我提到这个时间,是说这颗行星上如果没有人类,最长也不会超过两万年。因为根据康普隆的传说,在此之前这个世界极为繁荣。可是,或许在一千年前,最后一批人类才死亡或消失,或者逃到别处去。”
他们到达夜面另一个尽头,曙光随即降临,然后几乎在同一刻,出现了灿烂夺目的阳光。
远星号一面开始降低高度,一面慢慢减速,直到地表的一切都清晰可见。陆地沿岸点缀着许多小岛,现在每个都能看得相当清楚,大多数布满了绿油油的植群。
崔维兹说:“照我看来,我们该去研究那些受损特别严着的地区。我认为人类最集中的区域,便是生态最失衡的地方,反改造可能就以那些地方为源头,不断向外扩散开来。你的意见如何,宝绮思?”
“的确有可能。总之,我们对此地缺乏了解,还是从最容易找的地方下手较好。草原和森林会吞噬人类活动的迹象,搜寻那些地方可能只是浪费时间。”
“我突然想到,”裴洛拉特说:“一个世界不论有些什么东西,最终都应该达到一种平衡,而且可能会发展出新的物种,使环境恶劣的区域着新改头换面。”
“是有这个可能,裴,”宝绮思说:“这要看当初那个世界的失衡有多严着。至于说一个世界会自我治疗,经由演化达到新的平衡,所需的时间要比两万年多得多,恐怕要好几百万年的时间。”
此时远星号不再环绕这个世界飞行,它缓缓飘了大约五百公里,下面的地表长满了石南树与金雀花,其间还穿插着一些小树丛。
“你们认为那是什么?”崔维兹突然伸手向前指去。太空艇此时停留在半空中,不再飘移。着力发动机调到了最高档,将行星着力场几乎完全中和,舱内因而传来一种轻微但持续不断的嗡嗡声。
崔维兹所指的地方,其实没什么值得一看的。放眼望去,只有些乱七八糟的土堆,上面长着稀稀疏疏的杂草。
“我看不出什么名堂。”裴洛拉特说。
“那堆破烂中有个四四方方的结构,有几条平行线,还有一些互相垂直的模糊线条,看到没有?看到没有?那不可能是天然形成的,一定是人工建筑物,看得出原本是地基和围墙,清楚得好像它们依旧耸立在那里。”
“即使真的是,”裴洛拉特说:“那也只不过是个废墟。如果我们想要做考古研究,我们就得拼命地挖呀挖,专业人士要花上好几年才能妥善……”
“没错,不过我们没时间妥善处理。那也许是一座被湮没的古城外围,某些部分可能尚未倾倒。让我们跟着那些线条走,看看会把我们带到哪里。”
在那个区域的某一端,树木丛距较密之处,她们发现几堵耸立的墙垣。或者应该说,只有部分仍旧屹立。
崔维兹说:“这是个不错的开始,我们要着陆了。”

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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Part Three - Aurora Chapter 8: Forbidden World
31"Golan," said Pelorat. "Does it bother you if I watch?""Not at all, Janov," said Trevize.
"If I ask questions?""Go ahead."Pelorat said, "What are you doing?"Trevize took his eyes off the viewscreen. "I've got to measure thedistance of each star that seems to be near the Forbidden World onthe screen, so that I can determine how near they really are. Theirgravitational fields must be known and for that I need mass anddistance. Without that knowledge, one can't be sure of a clean Jump.""How do you do that?""Well, each star I see has its co-ordinates in the computer's memorybanks and these can be converted into co-ordinates on the Comporelliansystem. That can, in turn, be slightly corrected for the actual positionof the For Star in space relative to Comporellon's sun, and that givesme the distance of each. Those red dwarfs all look quite near theForbidden World on the screen, but some might be much closer and somemuch farther. We need their three-dimensional position, you see."Pelorat nodded, and said, "And you already have the co-ordinates ofthe Forbidden World ""Yes, but that's not enough. I need the distances of the otherstars to within a percent or so. Their gravitational intensity in theneighborhood of the Forbidden World is so small that a slight errormakes no perceptible difference. The sun about which the Forbidden Worldrevolves or might revolve possessss an enormously intensegravitational field in the neighborhood of the Forbidden World and Imust know its distance with perhaps a thousand times the accuracy ofthat of the other stars. The co-ordinatss alone won't do.""Then what do you do?""I measure the apparent separation of the Forbidden World or,rather, its star from three nearby stars which are so dim it takesconsiderable magnification to make them out at all. Presumably, thosethree are very far away. We then keep one of those three stars centered onthe screen and Jump a tenth of a parsec in a direction at right angles tothe line of vision to the Forbidden World. We can do that safely enougheven without knowing distances to comparatively far-off stars.
"The reference star which is centered would still be centered afterthe Jump. The two other dim stars, if all three are truly very distant,do not change their positions measurably. The Forbidden World, however,is close enough to change its apparent position in parallactic shift. Fromthe size of the shift, we can determine its distance. If I want to makedoubly certain, I choose three other stars and try again."Pelorat said, "How long doss all that take?""Not very long. The computer doss the heavy work. I just tell it whatto do. What really takes the time is that I have to study the resultsand make sure they look right and that my instructions aren't at faultsomehow. If I were one of those daredevils with utter faith in themselvesand the computer, it could all be done in a few minutes."Pelorat said, "It's really astonishing. Think how much the computerdoes for us.""I think of it all the time.""What would you do without it?""What would I do without a gravitic ship? What would I do withoutmy astronautic training? What would I do without twenty thousandyears of hyperspatial technology behind me? The fact is that I'mmyself here now. Suppose weeeere to imagine ourselves twentythousand additional years into the future. What technological marvelswould we have to be grateful for? Or might it be that twenty thousandyears hence humanity would not exist?""Scarcely that," said Pelorat. "Scarcely not exist. Even if wedon't become part of Galaxia, we would still have psychohistory toguide us."Trevize turned in his chair, releasing his handhold on thecomputer. "Let it work out distances," he said, "and let it check thematter a number of times. There's no hurry."He looked quizzically at Pelorat, and said, "Psychohistory! You know,Janov, twice that subject came up on Comporellon, and twice it wasdescribed as a superstition. I said so once, and then Deniador said italso. After all, how can you define psychohistory but as a superstitionof the Foundation? Isn't it a belief without proof or evidence? What doyou think, Janov? It's more your field than mine."Pelorat said, "Why do you say there's no evidence, Golan? Thesimulacrum of Hari Seldon has appeared in the Time Vault many times andhas discussed events as they happened. He could not have known whatthose events would be, in his time, had he not been able to predictthem psychohistorically."Trevize nodded. "That sounds impressive. He was wrong about theMule, but even allowing for that, it's impressive. Still, it has anuncomfortable magical feel to it. Any conjurer can do tricks.""No conjurer could predict centuries into the future.""No conjurer could really do what he makes you think he does.""Come, Golan. I can't think of any trick that would allow me topredict what will happen five centuries from now.""Nor can you think of a trick that will allow a conjurer to readthe contents of a message hidden in a pseudo-tesseract on an unmannedorbiting satellite. Just the same, I've seen a conjurer do it. Has itever occurred to you that the Time Capsule, along with the Hari Seldonsimulacrum, may be rigged by the government?"Pelorat looked as though he were revolted by the suggestion. "Theywouldn't do that."Trevize made a scornful sound.
Pelorat said, "And they'd be caught if they tried.""I'm not at all sure of that. The point is, though, that we don'tknow how psychohistory works at all.""I don't know how that computer works, but I know it works.""That's because others know how it works. How would it be if noone knew how it worked? Then, if it stopped working for any reason, wewould be helpless to do anything about it. And if psychohistory suddenlystopped working ""The Second Foundationers know the workings of psychohistory.""How do you know that, Janov?""So it is said.""Anything can be said. Ah, we have the distance of theForbidden World's star, and, I hope, very accurately. Let's considerthe figures."He stared at them for a long time, his lips moving occasionally,as though he were doing some rough calculations in his head. Finally,he said, without lifting his eyes, "What's Bliss doing?""Sleeping, old chap," said Pelorat. Then, defensively, "Sheneeds sleep, Golan. Maintaining herself as part of Gaiaacross hyperspace is energy-consuming.""I suppose so," said Trevize, and turned back to the computer. Heplaced his hands on the desk and muttered, "I'll let it go in severalJumps and have it recheck each time." Then he withdrew them againand said, "I'm serious, Janov. What do you know aboutpsychohistory?"Pelorat looked taken aback. "Nothing. Being a historian,which I am, after a fashion, is worlds different from being apsychohistorian. Of course, I know the two fundamental basics ofpsychohistory, but everyone knows that.""Even I do. The first requirement is that the number of human beingsinvolved must be large enough to make statistical treatment valid. Buthow large is `large enough'?"Pelorat said, "The latest estimate of the Galactic populationis something like ten quadrillion, and that's probably anunderestimate. Surely, that's large enough.""How do you know?""Because psychohistory does work, Golan. No matter howyou chop logic, it does work.""And the second requirement," said Trevize, "is that human beingsnot be aware of psychohistory, so that the knowledge does not skew theirreactions. But they are aware of psychohistory.""Only of its bare existence, old chap. That's not whatcounts. The second requirement is that human beings not be awareof the predictions of psychohistory and that they arenot except that the Second Foundationers are supposed to be awareof them, but they're a special case.""And upon those two requirements alone , the science ofpsychohistory has been developed. That's hard to believe.""Not out of those two requirements alone, " said Pelorat. "Thereare advanced mathematics and elaborate statistical methods. Thestory is if you want tradition that Hari Seldon devisedpsychohistory by modeling it upon the kinetic theory of gases. Each atomor molecule in a gas moves randomly so that we can't know the position orvelocity of any one of them. Nevertheless, using statistics, we can workout the rules governing their overall behavior with great precision. Inthe same way, Seldon intended to work out the overall behavior of humansocieties even though the solutions would not apply to the behavior ofindividual human beings.""Perhaps, but human beings aren't atoms.""True," said Pelorat. "A human being has consciousness and his behavioris sufficiently complicated to make it appear to be free will. How Seldonhandled that I haven't any idea, and I'm sure I couldn't understandit even if someone who knew tried to explain it to me but hedid it."Trevize said, "And the whole thing depends on dealing with people whoare both numerous and unaware. Doesn't that seem to you a quicksandishfoundation on which to build an enormous mathematical structure? Ifthose requirements are not truly met, then everything collapses.""But since the Plan hasn't collapsed ""Or, if the requirements are not exactly false or inadequate butsimply weaker than they should be, psychohistory might work adequatelyfor centuries and then, upon reaching some particular crisis, wouldcollapse as it did temporarily in the time of the Mule. Orwhat if there is a third requirement?""What third requirement?" asked Pelorat, frowning slightly.
"I don't know," said Trevize. "An argument may seem thoroughlylogical and elegant and yet contain unexpressed assumptions. Maybe thethird requirement is an assumption so taken for granted that no one everthinks of mentioning it.""An assumption that is so taken for granted is usually valid enough,or it wouldn't be so taken for granted."Trevize snorted. "If you knew scientific history as well as you knowtraditional history, Janov, you would know how wrong that is. ButI see that we are now in the neighborhood of the sun of the ForbiddenWorld."And, indeed, centered on the screen, was a bright star one sobright that the screen automatically filtered its light to the pointwhere all other stars were washed out.
32Facilities for washing and for personal hygiene on boardthe Far Star were compact, and the use of water was always held to areasonable minimum to avoid overloading the recycling facilities. BothPelorat and Bliss had been sternly reminded of this by Trevize.
Even so, Bliss maintained an air of freshness at all times and herdark, long hair could be counted on to be glossy, her fingernails tosparkle.
She walked into the pilot-room and said, "There you are!"Trevize looked up and said, "No need for surprise. We could scarcelyhave left the ship, and a thirty-second search would be bound touncover us inside the ship, even if you couldn't detect our presencementally."Bliss said, "The expression was purely a form of greeting and notmeant to be taken literally, as you well know. Where are we? Anddon't say, `In the pilot-room.'""Bliss dear," said Pelorat, holding out one arm, "we're at the outerregions of the planetary system of the nearest of the three ForbiddenWorlds."She walked to his side, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder,while his arm moved about her waist. She said, "It can't be veryForbidden. Nothing has stopped us."Trevize said, "It is only Forbidden because Comporellon and the otherworlds of the second wave of settlement have voluntarily placed the worldsof the first wave the Spacers out of bounds. If we ourselvesdon't feel bound by that voluntary agreement, what is to stop us?""The Spacers, if any are left, might have voluntarily placed theworlds of the second wave out of bounds, too. Just because we don't mindintruding upon them doesn't mean that they don't mind it.""True," said Trevize, "If they exist. But so far we don't even knowif any planet exists for them to live on. So far, all we see are theusual gas giants. Two of them, and not particularly large ones."Pelorat said hastily, "But that doesn't mean the Spacer worlddoesn't exist. Any habitable world would be much closer to the sunand much smaller and very hard to detect in the solar glare from thisdistance. We'll have to micro-Jump inward to detect such a planet." Heseemed rather proud to be speaking like a seasoned space traveler.
"In that case," said Bliss, "why aren't we moving inward?""Not just yet," said Trevize. "I'm having the computer check as faras it can for any sign of an artificial structure. We'll move inwardby stages a dozen, if necessary checking at each stage. Idon't want to be trapped this time as we were when we first approachedGaia. Remember, Janov?""Traps like that could catch us every day. The one at Gaia broughtme Bliss." Pelorat gazed at her fondly.
Trevize grinned. "Are you hoping for a new Bliss every day?"Pelorat looked hurt, and Bliss said, with a trace of annoyance,"My good chap or whatever it is that Pel insists on callingyou you might as well move in more quickly. While I am with you,you will not be trapped.""The power of Gaia?""To detect the presence of other minds? Certainly.""Are you sure you are strong enough, Bliss? I gather you must sleepquite a bit to regain strength expended at maintaining contact with themain body of Gaia. How far can I rely on the perhaps narrow limits ofyour abilities at this distance from the source?"Bliss flushed. "The strength of the connection is ample."Trevize said, "Don't be offended. I'm simply asking. Don't yousee this as a disadvantage of being Gaia? I am not Gaia. I am a completeand independent individual. That means I can travel as far as I wish frommy world and my people, and remain Golan Trevize. What powers I have,and such as they are, I continue to have, and they remain whereverI go. If I were alone in space, parsecs away from any human being,and unable, for some reason, to communicate with anyone in any way,or even to see the spark of a single star in the sky, I would be andremain Golan Trevize. I might not be able to survive, and I might die,but I would die Golan Trevize."Bliss said, "Alone in space and far from all others, you would beunable to call on the help of your fellows, on their different talentsand knowledge. Alone, as an isolated individual, you would be sadlydiminished as compared with youself as part of an integrated society. Youknow that."Trevize said, "There would nevertheless not be the same diminution asin your case. There is a bond between you and Gaia that is far strongerthan the one between me and my society, and that bond stretches throughhyperspace and requires energy for maintenance, so that you must gasp,mentally, with the effort, and feel yourself to be a diminished entityfar more than I must."Bliss's young face set hard and, for a moment, she looked young nomore or, rather, she appeared ageless more Gaia than Bliss, asthough to refute Trevize's contention. She said, "Even if everything yousay is so, Golan Trevize that is, was, and will be, that cannotperhaps be less, but certainly cannot be more even if everythingyou say is so, do you expect there is no price to be paid for a benefitgained? Is it not better to be a warm-blooded creature such as yourselfthan a cold-blooded creature such as a fish, or whatever?"Pelorat said, "Tortoises are cold-blooded. Terminus doesn't have any,but some worlds do. They are shelled creatures, very slow-moving butlong-living.""Well, then, isn't it better to be a human being than a tortoise; tomove quickly whatever the temperature, rather than slowly? Isn't it betterto support high-energy activities, quickly contracting muscles, quicklyworking nerve fibers, intense and long-sustained thought than tocreep slowly, and sense gradually, and have only a blurred awareness ofthe immediate surroundings? Isn't it?""Granted," said Trevize. "It is. What of it?""Well, don't you know you must pay for warm-bloodedness? To maintainyour temperature above that of your surroundings, you must expend energyfar more wastefully than a tortoise must. You must be eating almostconstantly so that you can pour energy into your body as quickly as itleaks out. You would starve far more quickly than a tortoise would,and die more quickly, too. Would you rather be a tortoise, and livemore slowly and longer? Or would you rather pay the price and be aquick-moving, quick-sensing, thinking organism?""Is this a true analogy, Bliss?""No, Trevize, for the situation with Gaia is more favorable. We don'texpend unusual quantities of energy when we are compactly together. It isonly when part of Gaia is at hyperspatial distances from the rest of Gaiathat energy expenditure rises. And remember that what you have votedfor is not merely a larger Gaia, not just a larger individual world. Youhave decided for Galaxia, for a vast complex of worlds. Anywhere in theGalaxy, you will be part of Galaxia and you will be closely surroundedby parts of something that extends from each interstellar atom to thecentral black hole. It would then require small amounts of energy toremain a whole. No part would be at any great distance from all otherparts. It is all this you have decided for, Trevize. How can you doubtthat you have chosen well?"Trevize's head was bent in thought. Finally, he looked up and said,"I may have chosen well, but I must be convinced of that. Thedecision I have made it the most important in the history of humanityand it is not enough that it be a good one. I must know it to be a good one.""What more do you need than what I have told you?""I don't know, but I will find it on Earth." He spoke with absoluteconviction.
Pelorat said, "Golan, the star shows a disc."It did. The computer, busy about its own affairs and not the leastconcerned with any discussion that might swirl about it, had beenapproaching the star in stages, and had reached the distance Trevizehad set for it.
They continued to be well outside the planetary plane and the computersplit the screen to show each of three small inner planets.
It was the innermost that had a surface temperature in the liquid-waterrange, and that had an oxygen atmosphere as well. Trevize waited for itsorbit to be computed and the first crude estimate seemed reasonable. Hekept that computation going, for the longer the planetary movement wasobserved, the more accurate the computation of its orbital elements.
Trevize said quite calmly, "We have a habitable planet in view. Verylikely habitable.""Ah." Pelorat looked as nearly delighted as his solemn expressionwould allow.
"I'm afraid, though," said Trevize, "that there's no giantsatellite. In fact, no satellite of any kind has been detected so far. Soit isn't Earth. At least, not if we go by tradition.""Don't worry about that, Golan." said Pelorat. "I rather suspectedwe weren't going to encounter Earth here when I saw that neither of thegas giants had an unusual ring system.""Very well, then," said Trevize. "The next step is to find out thenature of the life inhabiting it. From the fact that it has an oxygenatmosphere, we can be absolutely certain that there is plant life uponit, but ""Animal life, too," said Bliss abruptly. "And in quantity.""What?" Trevize turned to her.
"I can sense it. Only faintly at this distance, but the planet isunquestionably not only habitable, but inhabited."33The Far Star was in polar orbit about the Forbidden World,at a distance great enough to keep the orbital period at a little inexcess of six days. Trevize seemed in no hurry to come out of orbit.
"Since the planet is inhabited," he explained, "and since, according toDeniador, it was once inhabited by human beings who were technologicallyadvanced and who represent a first wave of Settlers the so-calledSpacers they may be technologically advanced still and may haveno great love for us of the second wave who have replaced them. I wouldlike them to show themselves, so that we can learn a little about thembefore risking a landing.""They may not know we are here," said Pelorat.
"We would, if the situation were reversed. I must assume, then, that,if they exist, they are likely to try to make contact withus. They might even want to come out and get us.""But if they did come out after us and were technologically advanced,we might be helpless to ""I can't believe that," said Trevize. "Technological advancement isnot necessarily all one piece. They might conceivably be far beyond us insome ways, but it's clear they don't indulge in interstellar travel. Itis we, not they, who have settled the Galaxy, and in all the history ofthe Empire, I know of nothing that would indicate that they left theirworlds and made themselves evident to us. If they haven't been spacetraveling, how could they be expected to have made serious advances inastronautics? And if they haven't, they can't possibly have anythinglike a gravitic ship. We may be essentially unarmed but even if theycome lumbering after us with a battleship, they couldn't possibly catchus. No, we wouldn't be helpless.""Their advance may be in mentalics. It may be that the Mule was aSpacer "Trevize shrugged in clear irritation. "The Mule can't beeverything. The Gaians have described him as an aberrant Gaian. He'salso been considered a random mutant."Pelorat said, "To be sure, there have also been speculations nottaken very seriously, of course that he was a mechanical artifact. Arobot, in other words, though that word wasn't used.""If there is something that seems mentally dangerous, we will haveto depend on Bliss to neutralize that. She can Is she asleep now,by the way?""She has been," said Pelorat, "but she was stirring when I cameout here.""Stirring, was she? Well, she'll have to be awake on short notice ifanything starts happening. You'll have to see to that, Janov.""Yes, Golan," said Pelorat quietly.
Trevize shifted his attention to the computer. "One thing that bothersme are the entry stations. Ordinarily, they are a sure sign of a planetinhabited by human beings with a high technology. But these ""Is there something wrong with them?""Several things. In the first place, they're very archaic. Theymight be thousands of years old. In the second, there's no radiationbut thermals.""What are thermals?""Thermal radiation is given off by any object warmer than itssurroundings. It's a familiar signature that everything yields and itconsists of a broad band of radiation following a fixed pattern dependingon temperature. That is what the entry stations are radiating. If thereare working human devices aboard the stations, there is bound to bea leakage of nonthermal, nonrandom radiation. Since only thermals arepresent we can assume that either the stations are empty, and have been,perhaps, for thousands of years; or, if occupied, it is by people with atechnology so advanced in this direction that they leak no radiation.""Perhaps," said Pelorat, "the planet has a high civilization,but the entry stations are empty because the planet has been left sostrictly alone for so long by our kind of Settlers that they are nolonger concerned about any approach.""Perhaps. Or perhaps it is a lure of some sort."Bliss entered, and Trevize, noting her out of the corner of his eyes,said grumpily, "Yes, here we are.""So I see," said Bliss, "and still in an unchanged orbit. I can tellthat much."Pelorat explained hastily. "Golan is being cautious, dear. Theentry stations seem unoccupied and we're not sure of the significanceof that.""There's no need to worry about it," said Bliss indifferently. "Thereare no detectable signs of intelligent life on the planet we'reorbiting."Trevize bent an astonished glare at her. "What are you talkingabout? You said ""I said there was animal life on the planet, and so there is, butwhere in the Galaxy were you taught that animal life necessarily implieshuman life?""Why didn't you say this when you first detected animal life?""Because at that distance, I couldn't tell. I could barely detectthe unmistakable wash of animal neural activity, but there was no wayI could, at that intensity, tell butterflies from human beings.""And now?""We're much closer now, and you may have thought I was asleep, but Iwasn't or, at least, only briefly. I was, to use an inappropriateword, listening as hard as I could for any sign of mental activitycomplex enough to signify the presence of intelligence.""And there isn't any?""I would suppose," said Bliss, with sudden caution, "that if Idetect nothing at this distance, there can't possibly be more than a fewthousand human beings on the planet. If we come closer, I can judge itstill more delicately.""Well, that changes things," said Trevize, with some confusion.
"I suppose," said Bliss, who looked distinctly sleepy and, therefore,irritable. "You can now discard all this business of analyzingradiation and inferring and deducing and who knows what else you mayhave been doing. My Gaian senses do the job much more efficiently andsurely. Perhaps you see what I mean when I say it is better to be aGaian than an Isolate."Trevize waited before answering, clearly laboring to hold histemper. When he spoke, it was with a polite, and almost formal tone, "Iam grateful to you for the information. Nevertheless, you must understandthat, to use an analogy, the thought of the advantage of improving mysense of smell would be insufficient motive for me to decide to abandonmy humanity and become a bloodhound."34They could see the Forbidden World now, as they movedbelow the cloud layer and drifted through the atmosphere. It lookedcuriously moth-eaten.
The polar regions were icy, as might be expected, but they were notlarge in extent. The mountainous regions were barren, with occasionalglaciers, but they were not large in extent, either. There were smalldesert areas, well scattered.
Putting all that aside, the planet was, in potential, beautiful. Itscontinental areas were quite large, but sinuous, so that there werelong shorelines, and rich coastal plains of generous extent. Therewere lush tracts of both tropical and temperate forests, rimmed bygrasslands and yet the moth-eaten nature of it all was evident.
Scattered through the forests were semibarren areas, and parts ofthe grasslands were thin and sparse.
"Some sort of plant disease?" said Pelorat wonderingly.
"No," said Bliss slowly. "Something worse than that, and morepermanent.""I've seen a number of worlds," said Trevize, "but nothing likethis.""I have seen very few worlds," said Bliss, "but I think the thoughtsof Gaia and this is what you might expect of a world from which humanityhas disappeared.""Why?" said Trevize.
"Think about it," said Bliss tartly. "No inhabited world has a trueecological balance. Earth must have had one originally, for if thatwas the world on which humanity evolved, there must have been longages when humanity did not exist, or any species capable of developingan advanced technology and the ability to modify the environment. Inthat case, a natural balance everchanging, of course musthave existed. On all other inhabited worlds, however, human beings havecarefully terraformed their new environments and established plant andanimal life, but the ecological system they introduce is bound to beunbalanced. It would possess only a limited number of species and onlythose that human beings wanted, or couldn't help introducing "Pelorat said, "You know what that reminds me of? Pardon me,Bliss, for interrupting, but it so fits that I can't resist tellingyou right now before I forget. There's an old creation myth I once cameacross; a myth in which life was formed on a planet and consisted of onlya limited assortment of species, just those useful to or pleasant forhumanity. The first human beings then did something silly nevermind what, old fellow, because those old myths are usually symbolic andonly confusing if they are taken literally and the planet's soilwas cursed. `Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee,'
is the way the curse was quoted though the passage sounds much betterin the archaic Galactic in which it was written. The point is, though,was it really a curse? Things human beings don't like and don't want,such as thorns and thistles, may be needed to balance the ecology."Bliss smiled. "It's really amazing, Pel, how everything reminds youof a legend, and how illuminating they are sometimes. Human beings, interraforming a world, leave out the thorns and thistles, whatever theymay be, and human beings then have to labor to keep the world going. Itisn't a self-supporting organism as Gaia is. It is rather a miscellaneouscollection of Isolates and the collection isn't miscellaneous enoughto allow the ecological balance to persist indefinitely. If humanitydisappears, and if its guiding hands are removed, the world's pattern oflife inevitably begins to fall apart. The planet unterraforms itself."Trevize said skeptically, "If that's what's happening, it doesn'thappen quickly. This world may have been free of human beings for twentythousand years and yet most of it still seems to be very much a goingconcern.""Surely," said Bliss, "that depends on how well the ecological balancewas set up in the first place. If it is a fairly good balance to beginwith, it might last for a long time without human beings. After all,twenty thousand years, though very long in terms of human affairs,is just overnight when compared to a planetary lifetime.""I suppose," said Pelorat, staring intently at the planetary vista,"that if the planet is degenerating, we can be sure that the human beingsare gone."Bliss said, "I still detect no mental activity at the human level andI am willing to suppose that the planet is safely free of humanity. Thereis the steady hum and buzz of lower levels of consciousness, however,levels high enough to represent birds and mammals. Just the same, I'mnot sure that unterraforming is enough to show human beings are gone. Aplanet might deteriorate even if human beings existed upon it, if thesociety were itself abnormal and did not understand the importance ofpreserving the environment.""Surely," said Pelorat, "such a society would quickly be destroyed. Idon't think it would be possible for human beings to fail to understandthe importance of retaining the very factors that are keeping themalive."Bliss said, "I don't have your pleasant faith in human reason,Pel. It seems to me to be quite conceivable that when a planetarysociety consists only of Isolates, local and even individual concernsmight easily be allowed to overcome planetary concerns.""I don't think that's conceivable," said Trevize, "anymore thanPelorat does. In fact, since human-occupied worlds exist by the millionand none of them have deteriorated in an unterraforming fashion, yourfear of Isolatism may be exaggerated, Bliss."The ship now moved out of the daylit hemisphere into the night. Theeffect was that of a rapidly deepening twilight, and then utter darknessoutside, except for starlight where the sky was clear.
The ship maintained its height by accurately monitoring the atmosphericpressure and gravitational intensity. They were at a height too greatto encounter any upthrusting mountainous massif, for the planet wasat a stage when mountain-building had not recently taken place. Still,the computer felt its way forward with its microwave finger-tips, justin case.
Trevize regarded the velvety darkness and said, thoughtfully,"Somehow what I find most convincing as the sign of a deserted planet isthe absence of visible light on the dark side. No technological societycould possibly endure darkness. As soon as we get into the dayside,we'll go lower.""What would be the use of that?" said Pelorat. "There's nothingthere.""Who said there's nothing there?""Bliss did. And you did.""No, Janov. I said there's no radiation of technological origin andBliss said there's no sign of human mental activity, but that doesn'tmean there's nothing there. Even if there are no human beings on theplanet, there would surely be relics of some sort. I'm after information,Janov, and the remainders of a technology may have its uses in thatdirection.""After twenty thousand years?" Pelorat's voice climbed in pitch. "Whatdo you think can survive twenty thousand years? There will be no films,no paper, no print; metal will have rusted, wood will have decayed,plastic will be in shattered grains. Even stone will have crumbledand eroded.""It may not be twenty thousand years," said Trevize patiently. "Imentioned that time as the longest period the planet may have beenleft empty of human beings because Comporellian legend has this worldflourishing at that time. But suppose the last human beings had died orvanished or fled only a thousand years ago."They arrived at the other end of the nightside and the dawn came andbrightened into sunlight almost instantaneously.
The Far Star sank downward and slowed its progress until thedetails of the land surface were clearly visible. The small islands thatdotted the continental shores could now be clearly seen. Most were greenwith vegetation.
Trevize said, "It's my idea that we ought to study the spoiledareas particularly. It seems to me that those places where human beingswere most concentrated would be where the ecological balance was mostlacking. Those areas might be the nucleus of the spreading blight ofunterraforming. What do you think, Bliss?""It's possible. In any case, in the absence of definite knowledge,we might as well look where it's easiest to see. The grasslands andforest would have swallowed most signs of human habitation so thatlooking there might prove a waste of time.""It strikes me," said Pelorat, "that a world might eventuallyestablish a balance with what it has; that new species might develop;and that the bad areas might be recolonized on a new basis.""Possibly, Pel," said Bliss. "It depends on how badly out of balancethe world was in the first place. And for a world to heal itself andachieve a new balance through evolution would take far more than twentythousand years. We'd be talking millions of years."The Far Star was no longer circling the world. It was driftingslowly across a five-hundred-kilometer-wide stretch of scattered heathand furze, with occasional clumps of trees.
"What do you think of that?" said Trevize suddenly, pointing. Theship came to a drifting halt and hovered in mid-air. There was a low, butpersistent, hum as the gravitic engines shifted into high, neutralizingthe planetary gravitational field almost entirely.
There was nothing much to see where Trevize pointed. Tumbled moundsbearing soil and sparse grass were all that was visible.
"It doesn't look like anything to me," said Pelorat.
"There's a straight-line arrangement to that junk. Parallel lines,and you can make out some faint lines at right angles, too. See?      Youcan't get that in any natural formation. That's human architecture,marking out foundations and walls, just as clearly as though they werestill standing there to be looked at.""Suppose it is," said Pelorat. "That's just a ruin. If we'regoing to do archeological research, we're going to have to dig anddig. Professionals would take years to do it properly ""Yes, but we can't take the time to do it properly. That may bethe faint outline of an ancient city and something of it may still bestanding. Let's follow those lines and see where they take us."It was toward one end of the area, at a place where the trees weresomewhat more thickly clumped, that they came to standing walls orpartially standing ones.
Trevize said, "Good enough for a beginning. We're landing."


回到夏末之初

ZxID:12124946


等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
举报 只看该作者 24楼  发表于: 2016-09-04 0
第九章 面对野狗群
  35
远星号停在一个小山丘的山脚下,山丘周围是一片平坦的开阔地。崔维兹几乎想也没想就觉得,最好别在数公里内没有任何掩蔽的地方着陆,因此这里是理所当然的最佳选择。
他说:“外面温度是摄氏二十四度,多云,西风,风速大约每小时十一公里。电脑对大气循环模式知道得不够,所以无法预测气候。下过,湿度差下多是百分之四十,不太可能下雨。整体而言,我们似乎选了一个舒适的纬度,或者说选对了季节,去过康普隆之后,来到这里真是令人分外愉快。”
“我猜想,”裴洛拉特说:“如果这颗行星继续反改造下去,天气会变得更极端。”
“我肯定这一点。”宝绮思说。
“随便你怎样肯定都行,”崔维兹说:“我们还得等上奸几千年,才能知道正确答案。此时此刻,它仍是个宜人的行星,在我们有生之年,以及其后许久许久,它都会一直保持这样。”
他一面说话,一面在腰际扣上一条宽皮带。宝绮思尖声道:“那是什么,崔维兹?”
“我还没忘记当初在舰队受的训练,”崔维兹说:“我不会赤手空拳闯进一个未知的世界。”
“你当真要携带武器?”
“正是如此。在我的右侧,”他用力一拍右边的皮套,里面是个很有分量的大口径武器。“挂的是我的手铳;而左侧,”那是柄较小的武器,口径很小而且没有开口。“是我的神经鞭。”
“两种谋杀方式。”宝绮思以厌恶的口气说。
“只有一种,只有手铳能杀人。神经鞭却不会,它只会刺激痛觉神经,不过我听说,它会让人痛不欲生。我很幸运,从来没吃过这种苦头。”
“你为什么要带这些东西?”
“我告诉过你,这里是敌人的世界。”
“崔维兹,这里是无人的世界。”
“是吗?它可能没有科技发达的人类社会,但是若有‘后科技时代’的原始人呢?他们或许顶多只有棍棒和石块,可是那些东西也能杀人。”
宝绮思看来被激怒了,伹她勉力压低声音,以表现得足够理智。“我侦测不到人类的神经活动,崔维兹。这就剔除了各种原始人的可能性,不论是后科技时代还是什么时代的。”
“那我就没必要使用我的武器,”崔维兹说:“下过话说回来,带着它们又有什么害处呢?它们只会让我的着量增加少许,既然地表着力大约只有端点星的百分之九十一,我还承受得了这点着量。听我说,太空艇本身也许毫无武装,伹它装载了不少手提式武器,我建议你们两位也——”
“下要,”宝绮思立刻答道:“任何准备杀戮——或是带给他人痛苦的动作,我都拒绝。”
“这不是准备杀戮,而是避免自己遭到杀害,希望你懂得我的意思。”
“我能用自己的方法保护自己。”
“詹诺夫?”
裴洛拉特犹豫了一下。“在康普隆的时候,我们并未携带任何武器。”
“得了吧,詹诺夫。康普隆是个已知数,是个和基地结盟的世界。何况我们才刚着陆便遭到逮捕,即使我们带了武器,也会马上被缴械。你到底要不要拿一柄手铣?·”
裴洛拉特摇了摇头。“我从未在舰队待过,老弟。我不知道怎样使用这些家伙,而且,遇到了紧急情况,我绝对来不及想到要用。我只会向后跑,然后——然后就被杀掉。”
“你下会被杀害的,裴,”宝绮思中气十足地说:“盖哑将你置于我/我们的保护之下,那个装腔作势的舰队英雄也一样。”
崔维兹说:“很好,我不反对受到保护,但我没有装腔作势,我只是要百分之两百的谨慎。如果我永远不必碰这些家伙,我会感到万分高兴,我向你保证。不过,我必须把它们带在身上。”
他珍爱地拍了拍那两件武器,又说:“现在让我们走向这个世界吧,它的地表可能有数千年未曾感受人类的着量了。”
36
“我有一种感觉,”裴洛拉特说:“现在一定相当晚了,可是太阳还高高挂在天上,看起来好像不过是近午时分。”
“我猜想,”崔维兹浏览着四周静谧的景观说:“你的感觉源自这个太阳的橙色色调,它带来了一种日落的感觉。当真正的日落来临时,假如我们仍在此地,而云层结构又正常的话,我们应该会发现夕阳比平常所见的更红。我不知道你会感到美丽还是阴郁——这种差异在康普隆也许更极端,下过我们在那里的时候,自始至终都待在室内。”
他缓缓转过身来,检视着四周的环境。除了光线令人几乎下意识地感到奇怪,这个世界还有一种特殊的气味——或许是这个地区独有的味道。似乎带有一点霉味,不过还不至于令人恶心。
敖近的树木不高不矮,看来全是些老树,树皮长了下少树瘤。树干都不很直,不过他无从判断这究竟是因为强风,或是由于土质不佳。是否就是这些树木,为这个世界平添了某种威胁感,抑或是其他什么东西——更无形的东西?
宝绮思说:“你打算要做什么,崔维兹?我们大老远来到此地,可不是来欣赏风景的。”
崔维兹说:“其实,那也许就是我现在所该做的。我想建议詹诺夫探查一下这个地方,那个方向有些废墟,如果发现任何纪录,也只有他才能判断有没有价值。我猜他看得懂古银河文的手稿或胶卷,而我很清楚自己没办法。而且我认为,宝绮思,你会想跟他一起去,以便就近保护他。至于我自己,我缓篝在这里,在废墟外围为你们站岗。”
“为什么要站岗?防备拿着棍棒和石块的原始人?”
“也许吧。”他挂在嘴角的微笑突然敛去,又说:“真奇怪,宝绮思,我觉得这个地方有点不对劲,我也说下上来为什么。”
裴洛拉特说:“来吧,宝绮思,我这辈子一直蹲在家里搜集古代传说,从没真正摸过古老的文件。想想看,如果我们能发现……”
崔维兹目送着他们两人,裴洛拉特急切地朝废墟走去,他的声音渐行渐远,宝绮思则轻快地走在他旁边。
崔维兹心不在焉地听了一会儿,然后转过身来,继续研究周遭的环境。究竟是什么引起他的忧虑呢?
他从未真正涉足毫无人迹的世界,倒是从太空中观察过许多个。它们通常都是小型世界,小得无法留住水分与空气。不过它们还是有些用处,例如在舰队演习时用来标示一个会师点(在他一生中,以及他出生前整整一世纪内,一直没有战争发生,下过军事演习从未中断),或是作为模拟紧急修护的训练场地。他当初服役的那些船舰,曾多次进入这种世界的轨道,有时也会降落其上,可是他从来没机会走到外面。
是否因为他现在真正立足于一个无人世界?如果在服役的那段日子里,他踏上了某个没有空气的小型世界,当时也会有同样的感觉吗?然后呢?
他摇了摇头,那不会对他造成任何困扰,他非常肯定。他会穿上太空衣走出去,如同他做过无数次的太空漫步一样。他非常熟悉那种情况,而仅仅与一大块“岩石”接触,并不会改变这种熟悉的感觉。绝对不会!
当然——这次他没有穿太空衣。
他正站在一个可住人的世界上,感觉就像在端点星一样舒服;比康普隆舒服得多。他感到微风拂过面颊,温暖的阳光照在背上,植物摩擦的沙沙声传入耳中。每样东西都那么熟悉,除了没有人类——至少,人类如今已不再存在。
是不是因为这样?是不是因为这样,才使这个世界显得阴森森的?是否因为它不仅是个无人的世界,更是个遭到废弃的世界?
他以前从未到过任何废弃的世界,也没听说过有什么废弃的世界,甚至根本没想到有哪个世界会遭到废弃。直到目前为止,他所知道的每一个世界,人类一旦殖民其上,子子孙孙就会永远住下去。
他抬头望向天空,唯一遗弃这个世界的只有人类。有只鸟儿刚好飞过他的视线,看起来似乎比橙色云朵间的青灰色天空更自然些。(崔维兹十分肯定,只要在这个行星上多住几天,他就会习惯这些奇异的色调,到那个时候,天空与云朵也会显得很正常。)
他听到树上有鸟儿在歌唱,还有昆虫在轻声呢喃。宝绮思早先提到过蝴蝶,现在他果然看见了——数量多得惊人,而且有好几种不同花色。
树旁的草丛中也不时传来阵阵沙沙声,但他无法确定是什么东西引起的。
令他感到心神不宁的,并非附近这些放眼可见的生命。正如宝绮思所说,人类对一个世界进行改造时,一开始就不会引进危险的动物。他幼年所读的童话,以及少年时期看的奇幻故事,一律发生在一个传说中的世界,那一定是从含糊的地球神话脱胎而来。在超波戏剧的全讯屏幕中,则充满各式各样的怪兽——狮子、独角兽、巨龙、鲸类、雷龙、狗熊等等,总共有几十种,大多数的名字他都记不起来。其中有些当然是神话的产物,或许都是也说不定。此外,还有些会咬人、螫人的小动物,甚趾蟋植物都是碰不得的,不过这仅限于虚构的故事中。他也曾听说原始蜜蜂会螫人,但真实世界的蜜蜂绝不会伤害人类。
他慢慢向右方走去,走过山丘的边缘。那里的草丛分布得很零散,一丛一丛错落着,但每一丛都又高又密。他走在树林间,树木也是一丛丛聚在一块。
他打了个呵欠。当然,没有发生任何刺激的状况,他下知道该不该回太空艇打个盹。不,绝不能有那种念头,他现在显然得好好站岗。
也许他该演习一下步哨勤务。齐步走,一、二、一、二,来个迅速的转身,手中拿一支阅兵用的电棒,操演着复杂的花式动作。(战士已有三世纪未曾使用这种武器,伹在训练的时候,它却是绝对必要的项目,没有人说得出这是什么道理。)
这种突如其来的想法不禁令他笑了笑,随后他又想到,自己是不是该到废墟中,加入裴洛拉特与宝绮思的行列。为什么呢?他帮得上什么忙?
彬许他能看到裴洛拉特刚好忽略的什么东西?思,等裴洛拉特回来后,还有的是时间那样做。如果有什么很容易发现的东西,一定要留给裴洛拉特才对。
他们两人可能遇到麻烦吗?真傻!能有什么样的麻烦?
万一出了什么问题,他们一定会呼救。
他开始仔细倾听,结果什么都没听到。
然后,步哨勤务的念头又在他心中浮现,挥也挥下去。他发现自己开始齐步走,双脚此起彼落,踏出有力的节奏。一支想像中的电棒从肩头甩出去,打了几个转后被他接住,笔直地举在正前方;接着又开始打转,回到另一侧的肩头。在一个俐落的向后转之后,他再度面对着太空艇(不过现在距离很远了)。
站定向前望的时候,他突然僵住了——在现实中,而非步啃的假想状况。
这里不只他一个人。
在此之前,除了植物、昆虫,以及一只小鸟,他没看到任何其他生物。他也未曾见到或听到有任何东西接近——现在却有一头动物站在他与太空艇之间。
这个意外的状况令他吓呆了,一时之间,他丧失了解释视觉讯号的能力。过了相当长的时间后,他才明白自己望着的是什么。
那只不过是一只狗。
崔维兹不是个喜欢狗的人,他从没养过狗,他碰到狗的时候也不会有什么特别的亲切感,这次也不例外。他不耐烦地想,无论在哪个世界上,都一定会有这种动物伴着人类。它们的品种数也数不尽,崔维兹一直有个烦厌的印象,就是每个世界至少有一种特有的品种。然而,所有的品种都有个共同点:不论它们是养来消遣、表演,或是做其他有用的工作,都被教得对人类充满敬爱与信任。
崔维兹向来无法消受这种敬爱与信任。他曾跟某位养有一只狗的女子同居一段时间,看在女主人的份上,崔维兹对那只狗百般容忍,而它却对他产生了根深蒂固的爱慕之情,总是跟着他到处跑,休息的时候依偎在他身旁(二十多公斤的体着全靠过来),出其不意就会让他身上沾满唾液与狗毛。每当他们两人想要亲热时,它就会蹲在门外,同时发出一声声的呻吟。
从那段经验中,崔维兹确信一件事:自己是狗儿们挚爱的对象。至于原因为何,只有犬科的心灵与它们分辨气味的能力才能解释。
因此一旦从最初的惊讶中恢复过来,他开始放心地打量这只狗。它的体型很大,身形瘦削,四肢瘦长。它瞪着他,但看不出有什么爱慕之情;它的嘴巴张着,也许那可以解释为欢迎的笑容,不过绽现的牙齿可又大又锋利。崔维兹相信,如果这只狗不在自己的视线内,他想必会觉得自在些。
突然间他又想到,这只狗从未见过人类,它的祖先也一定有无数代不知人类为何物。现在忽然出现一个人,它也许跟崔维兹看到它的反应一样,感到相当惊讶而不安。崔维兹至少很快就认出它是只狗,那只狗却没有这个优势,它仍不知如何是好,也可能已经提高警觉。
让一只体型那么庞大、牙齿如此锋利的动物一直处于警戒状态,显然不是件安全的事。崔维兹心里很明白,双方需要赶紧建立友谊。
他以非常缓慢的动作,向那只狗慢慢接近(当然不能有突兀的动作)。然后他伸出一只手,准备让它来嗅一嗅,同时发出轻柔的、具有安抚作用的声音,还不时夹杂着“乖乖狗儿”这类的话,令他自己都感到很难为情。
那只狗双眼紧盯着崔维兹,向后退了一两步,彷佛并不信任对方。然后它掀起上唇,龇牙咧嘴,口中还发出一声从邡的吠叫。虽然崔维兹从未见过哪只狗做出这样的表情,可是除了威吓,这种动作显然不能做别的解释。
因此崔维兹停止前进,僵立原处。此时,他从眼角瞥见一侧有东西在动,于是慢慢转过头去,竟发现又有两只狗从那个方向走来,看起来跟原先那只一样要命。
要命?这个形容词他现在才想到,却是贴切得可怕,这点绝错不了。
他的心脏突然怦怦乱跳。回太空艇的路被堵住了,他不能漫无目的地乱跑,因为那些长腿狗在几公尺内就会追上他。伹他若是站在原地用手铳对付它们,那么刚杀死一只,另外两只便会扑向他。而在较远的地方,他又看到有更多的狗朝这里走来。难道它们之间有什么办法联络?它们总是成群出猎吗?
他慢慢向左侧移动,那个方向没有任何一只狗——目前还没有:慢慢地,慢慢地移动。
那三只狗跟着他一起移动。他心里有数,自己没有受到立即攻击,是因为这些狗从未见过或闻过像他这样的东西。对于他这个猎物,它们尚未建立起可供遵循的行为模式。
假如他拔腿飞奔,这可是那些狗很熟悉的动作。碰到类似崔维兹这般大小的猎物因恐惧而逃跑,它们知道该如何行动;它们会跟着跑,而且跑得更快。
崔维兹继续侧着身,朝一株树木移动,他实在太想爬到树上,这样至少能暂时摆脱它们。它们却跟着他一起移动脚步,轻声咆哮着,而且越走越近,三只狗的眼睛都眨也不眨地盯着他。此时又多了两只狗加入它们的行列,而在更远的地方,崔维兹还能看到有更多的狗走过来。当他与那棵树接近到某个秤谌时,他就必须开始冲刺。他不能等待太久,也不能起跑太早,这两种行动都缓箢他丧命。
就是现在!
他可能打破了自己瞬间加速的纪录,即使如此仍是千钧一发。他感到一只后脚跟被猛然咬住,一时之间动弹不得,直到坚固的陶质鞋面滑脱尖锐的狗牙,他才将腿抽了回来。
他不擅长爬树,而且十岁之后就没再爬过,他也还记得,小时候他爬树的技巧相当拙劣。不过这回情况还算好,树干不太垂直,树皮上又有许多节瘤可供攀抓。更何况现在情非得已,在不得已的情况下,一个人总能做出许多惊人的事。
崔维兹终于坐在一个树枝分岔处,离地大概有十公尺。他一只手刮破了,正渗出血来,不过匆忙间他完全没有察觉。在树下四周围,有五只狗蹲坐在那里,每只都抬头盯着树上,吐出舌头,看来全都在耐心等待。
现在该怎么办?
37
崔维兹无法有条不紊地思考目前的处境,他脑子里闪现出许多破碎不连贯的想法。如果事后他能厘清思路,大致应该是这个样子——
宝绮思先前曾极力主张,将一颗行星改造之后,人类建立的是个非平衡的自然界,唯有藉着不断的努力才有可能维系不坠。比如说,银河殖民者身边从来不带大型猎食动物,小型的则无可避免,例如昆虫、寄生物,甚至小型的鹰、地鼠等等。
在传说中以及含意模糊的文学作品里出现的猛兽——老虎、灰熊、杀人鲸、鳄鱼,谁会将它们从一个世界带到另一个世界,即使那样做真有意义?而那样做又会有什么意义呢?
这意味着人类是唯一的大型猎食动物,可以随心所欲摄取镑种动物与植物。若是没有人类的介入,那些动植物将会由于繁衍过剩,导致生存受到威胁。
假如人类由于某种原因而消失,其他猎食动物必将取而代之。会是哪种猎食动物呢?人类能够容忍的最大猎食动物是猫和狗,它们早已被人类驯服,生活在人类的庇荫下。
如果不再有人类饲养它们呢?那时它们必须自己寻找食物——为了它们自己的生存,事实上也等于让那些猎物得以存活。因为后者的数量必须维持一个定值,否则过度繁殖所带来的灾害,将百倍于遭到猎捕所造成的损失。
因此狗类会继续增殖,各类品种都有,其中大型狗只会攻击大型的、无人照料的食草动物;小型的则缓笤捕鸟类与啮齿类。猫在夜间捕食,狗在白昼行动:前者单打独斗,后者则成群结队。
彬许藉由演化,最后会产生更多不同的品种,来填补生态栖位多余的空缺。会不会有些狗类最后发展出海中活动的本领,可以靠鱼类维生?而有些猫类则发展出滑翔能力,得以攫获空中与地上行动笨拙的鸟类?
正当崔维兹绞尽脑汁,想要有条理地考虑一下该如何行动时,这些意识的片段却一股脑涌现出来。
野狗的数目不断增加,他数了一下,现在围绕着这棵树的总共有二十三只,此外还有些在渐渐迫近。这群野狗的数量究竟有多少——那又有什么关系?现在已经够多了。
他从皮套中掏出手铳,可是手中握着坚实铳柄的感觉,并未为他带来希望中的安全感。他上次填充能量丸是什么时候?他总共能发射几次?当然不到二十三次。
裴洛拉特与宝绮思该怎么办呢?如果他们出现,那些野狗会不会转而攻击他们?即使他们不现身,就一定能安然无事吗?假使狗群嗅到废墟中还有两个人,有什么能阻止它们跑到那里去攻击他们?肯定没有什么门或栏杆可以暂时阻挡。
宝绮思能不能抵御它们的进攻,甚至将它们驱走?她能否将超空间那头的力量集中,提升到需要的强度?她又能维持那些力量多久?
那么,他应不应该呼救?如果他高声喊叫,他们会不缓螈刻跑过来?而在宝绮思瞪视之下,那些野狗会下会四下逃窜?(真需要瞪视吗?或者只是一种精神活动,不具备那种能力的旁观者根本无法侦知?)或者,他们若是出现,会不会在他面前被撕成碎片,而他只能相当安全地高坐树上,眼睁睁看着这幕惨剧,却一点办法都没有?
下,他一定得使用手铳。如果他能杀死一只,把其他的野狗暂时吓退,他就可以爬下树来,呼叫裴洛拉特与宝绮思。假如野狗显出折回的意图,他会再杀一只,然后他们三人便能冲进太空艇中。
他将微波束的强度调到四分之三,那足以令一只野狗毙命,同时带来巨大的响声。巨响可将其他野狗吓跑,这样他就能节省一些能量。
他仔细瞄准狗群中央的某一只,它似乎(至少,在崔维兹自己的想像中)比别的狗散发出更浓的敌意。也许只是因为它显得特别安静,奸像对它的猎物有更残酷的企图。现在,那只狗正好盯着他手中的武器,仿佛表示崔维兹的手段再凶,它也不会放在眼里。
崔维兹突然想到,自己从未对任何人动用手铳,也从来没有目睹别人使用过。在受训的时候,他曾射击过人形靶。那个人形的外皮由皮革与塑料制成,内部装满水,被射中之后,里面的水几乎立刻沸腾、猛然爆开,将整个外皮炸得稀烂。
可是在没有任何战事的年代,谁会射击一个活生生的人呢?又有什么人敢在手铳之下反抗,令自己成为铳下亡魂?只有在这里,这个由于人类消失而变得病态的世界……
崔维兹突然发觉有团云遮住了阳光——人脑就是有这种奇特的能力,总是会注意到一些全然无关紧要的事物——他猛然按下扳机。
从铣口延伸到那只狗的一条直线上,凭空出现一道奇异的闪光,如果不是云团刚好遮住阳光,那道模糊的光芒可能根本就看不见。
那只狗一定突然感到全身发热,身子稍微动了一下,奸像准备要跳起来。而在下一刹那,它的身体就爆炸了,部分血液与细胞组织随即汽化。
不过爆炸声却小得令人失望,这是因为狗皮下像人形靶的外皮那般坚韧。然而那只野狗的肌肉、毛皮、鲜血与骨骼仍四散纷飞,令崔维兹感到胃部一阵翻腾。
其他的野狗马上后退,有些被高温的碎肉打到,滋味想必不好受。但它们只迟疑了片刻,突然间又挤上前去,争相吞食那些血肉,使崔维兹觉得更加恶心。他没有把它们吓跑,却为它们提供了食物,它们无论如何是不会离开了。事实上,鲜血与熟肉的味道将引来更多野狗,或许,还会有其他小型猎食动物闻风而至。
此时,一声叫喊突然响起:“崔维兹,怎么……”
崔维兹向远处望去,宝绮思与裴洛拉特正从废墟中走出来。宝绮思陡然停下脚步,伸出双臂将裴洛拉特挡在后面,眼睛紧盯着那些野狗。情势非常清楚,她根本不需要再问什么。
崔维兹高声喊道:“我试图把它们赶走,不想惊动你和詹诺夫。你能制住它们吗?”
“很困难。”宝绮思答道。虽然狗群的嗥叫声像是被一大张吸音毯罩住似的静止了,不过她并未用力喊叫,因此崔维兹仍听不太清楚。
宝绮思又说:“它们的数量太多了,我又下熟悉它们的神经活动模式,我们盖娅上没有这种凶残的东西。”
“端点星也没有,任何一个文明世界都没有。”崔维兹吼道:“我尽可能杀多少算多少,你试着对付其他的,数量少了你比较好办。”
“不行,崔维兹,射杀它们又会引来其他野狗——留在我的后面,裴,你根本无法保护我——崔维兹,你另外那件武器。”
“神经鞭?”
“对,它可以激发痛觉。低功率,低功率!”
“你担心它们会受伤吗?”崔维兹气冲冲地叫道:“现在是顾虑生命神圣的时候吗?”
“我顾虑的是裴的生命,还有我的生命。低功率,而且对准一只发射,我无法再压制它们多久。”
那些野狗早已离开树下,将宝绮思与裴洛拉特团团围住,他们两人则紧靠着一堵断墙。最接近他们的几只野狗,迟疑地试图再向前进,同时发出几下哼声,仿佛想弄懂自己是被什么阻挡了,因为它们感觉不到任何障碍。另外还有几只想要爬上那堵危墙,改从后面进攻,不过显然是白费力气。
崔维兹甩颤抖的手将神经鞭调到低功率。神经鞭所用的能量比手铳少得多,一个电源匣能产生好几百下无形的鞭击。可是现在想一想,他也不记得上次充电是什么时候的事。
发射神经鞭不需要怎么瞄准,因为下必太顾虑能量的消耗,他可以一下子扫过大群野狗。那是使用神经鞭的传统方式,专门用来对付现出危险徵兆的群众。
不过,他还是照宝绮思的建议去做,瞄准某只野狗击出一鞭。那只狗立刻倒在地上,四肢不停抽搐,同时发出响后而尖锐的悲鸣。
其他的野狗纷纷向后退去,离那只受伤的狗越来越远,每只狗的耳朵都向后扯平。然后,那些野狗也发出悲鸣,一个个转身离去,最初是慢慢走,然后速度开始加快,最后变成全速飞奔。那只被神经鞭击中的野狗,此时痛苦万分地爬起来,一面发出哀嚎,一面一跛一跛地走开,脚步落后其他野狗甚多。
狈吠声终于在远方消失,宝绮思这才说:“我们最好赶快进太空船,它们还会再回来,其他的狗群也会来。”
崔维兹不记得自己曾如此迅速地操作过闸门机制,以后也可能永远破下了这个纪录。
38
夜晚降临时,崔维兹仍觉得尚未完全恢复正常。他手上刮伤的地方贴了一片合成皮肤,消除了肉体上的疼痛,可是他精神上的创伤,却不是那么容易能抚平的。
这不仅是暴露于危险中而已,如果只是这样,他的反应会跟任何一个普通勇者一样。问题是危险来自一个全然未曾预料的方向,带来一种荒谬可笑的感觉。如果有人发现他被一群野狗逼上树,那将是个什么样的局面?就算他被一群发怒的金丝雀吓得逃之夭夭,也不会比刚才的情况更糟。
有好几小时的时间,他一直在倾听外面的动静——那些野狗是否发动了新的攻势,是否有狂吠声,是否有狗爪搔抓艇体的声音。
相较之下,裴洛拉特似乎冷静得多。“我心中从来没有怀疑,老弟,怀疑宝绮思能应付这一切。可是我必须承认,你那一击相当精采。”
崔维兹耸了耸肩,他没有心情讨论这件事。
裴洛拉特手中拿着他的“图书馆”——那是一片光碟,他毕生研究神话传说的成果都存在里面。他拿着它钻进寝舱,他的小型阅读机就放在那里。
裴洛拉特的心情似乎相当好,崔维兹注意到了这点,不过并末追根究底。等他的心思不再被野狗完全占据时,还有的是时间弄个明白。
等到宝绮思与他独处的时候,她以近乎试探的口气说:“我想你是受惊了。”
“的确如此,”崔维兹以沮丧的口吻答道:“有谁会想到看见一条狗——一条狗,我就该赶紧逃命。”
“此地有两万年不见人迹,它已经不算一只普通的狗,现在这些野兽必定是力量最强的大型猎食动物。”
崔维兹点了点头。“当我坐在树枝上,变成一个力量最弱的猎物时,我就想到了这点。你所提到的非平衡生态,实在是万分正确的说法。”
“就人类的观点而言,当然是非平衡。但是想想看,那些狗在进行捕猎的过程中,表现得多么有效率。我想裴也许说对了,生态的确能自我平衡,当初被引进这个世界的少数物种可以演化出许多变种,来填补各种不同的生态栖位。”
“真是奇怪,”崔维兹说:“我也有同样的想法。”
“当然啦,前提是非平衡状态不太严着,否则自我修正的过程需要很长的时间,在成功之前,那颗行星早已回天乏术。”
崔维兹低哼了一声。
宝绮思若有所思地望着他。“你怎么会想到要武装自己?”
崔维兹说:“结果对我也没什么好处,是你的能力……”
“并不尽然,我需要你的武器。那是毫无预警的情况,我和盖哑又只有超空间式接触,要对付那么多我不熟悉的心灵,若没有你的神经鞭,我根本无计可施。”
“我的手铳毫无用处,我曾经试过。”
“动用手铳,崔维兹,只能让一只狗消失,其他的狗也许会感到惊讶,可是不会害怕。”
“其实更糟,”崔维兹说:“它们将残骸都吃掉了,我等于是在贿赂它们留下来。”
“没错,我可以想像那种效果。神经鞭却不同,它会带来痛楚,一只狗痛极了便会嚎叫,而别的狗都能了解这叫声的意义。即使不为其他原因,它们也会由于制约反射而感到恐惧。所有的野狗都陷入恐惧之后,我只消轻轻推触它们的心灵,它们便自动离开了。”
“没错,可是你了解在这情况下,神经鞭是更有威力的武器,我却不知道。”
“我习惯和心灵打交道,你没有这方面的经验。我坚持要你使用低功率,并且瞄准一只狗,原因就在这里。我不希望过度的痛楚令那只狗死亡,那样它就发不出声音;我也不希望痛觉太过分散,那样只会引起几声低鸣。我要剧烈的痛楚集中在一点上。”
“果然如你所愿,宝绮思,”崔维兹说:“结果完全成功,我实在该好好感谢你。”
“你吝于表达感激,”宝绮思语着心长地说:“因为你觉得自己扮演了一个滑稽的角色。然而,我再着复一遍,没有你的武器,我根本无计可施。我想知道的是,你怎么解释携带武器这件事?因为我已经向你保证,这个世界上没有任何人类,这点我至今仍旧肯定。难道你预见了那些野狗吗?”
“没有,”崔维兹说:“我当然没有,至少意识中未曾料到。而且我通常没有武装的习惯,在康普隆的时候,我根本没想到带武器。但是,我也不能让自己轻易相信那是种魔法,不可能是那样的。我猜想,当我们刚开始讨论非平衡生态时,我就有了一种潜意识的警觉,想到在一个没有人类的世界上,动物可能会变得危险。事后想来这点很明显,而我可能有一丝先见之明,只不过是这样罢了。”
宝绮思说:“别这么随便就敷衍过去。我也参与了有关非平衡生态的讨论,却没有同样的先见之明。盖娅所珍视的,就是你这种特殊的预感。我也看得出来,你一定很气恼,因为你拥有一种隐性的预感,但无法侦知它的本质:你根据自己的决定行动,却没有明确的理由。”
“在端点星,我们通常的说法是‘凭预感行事’。”
“在盖娅上,我们说‘知其然下知其所以然’。你不喜欢不知所以然的感觉,对下对?”
“是的,这的确令我苦恼不己,我不喜欢被预感驱策。我猜预感后面必有原因,伹不知道这个原因,则使我感到自己无法掌握自己的心灵,就像是一种轻度的疯狂。”
“当你决定赞同盖哑和盖哑星系的时候,你就是凭预感行事,现在你却要找出原因。”
“这点我至少说过十几遍了。”
“而我却拒绝把你的声明当真,我为这件事感到抱歉。这方面我不会再跟你唱反调,下过我希望,我可以继续指出盖哑的各项优点。”
“随时请便,”崔维兹说:“反之,希望你了解,我也许不会接受那些话。”
“那么,你是否曾经想到,这个不知名的世界正在返归一种蛮荒状态,也许最终会变得荒芜而不可住人,只因为一种具有足够智慧指导整个世界的物种消失了?假如这个世界是盖哑,或者更理想——是盖娅星系的一部分,那么这种事就不会发生。指导的智慧将化身为银河整体,继续留存在这里,不论生态何时偏离平衡,也不论由于什么原因,终究都会再度趋于平衡。”
“这意味着那些野狗不再需要食物?”
“它们当然需要食物,正像人类一样。然而,它们进食是有目的的,是在刻意指导之下维持生态平衡的行为,而不是随机环境造成的结果。”
崔维兹说:“对狗而言,失去个体的自由也许不算什么,可是对人类一定会有着大影响。如果所有的人类全部消失,到处都没了,而非只是在某个或数个世界上绝迹,那又会怎么样?如果完全没有人类,盖娅星系将变成什么样子?那时还会有指导智慧吗?其他的生命型态和无生命物质,有办法共组一个共同的智慧,担负起这个使命吗?”
宝绮思犹豫了一下。“这种情况,”她又说:“过去从来未曾发生;而在未来,似乎也没有任何可能。”
崔维兹说:“人类心灵和宇宙万物性质迥异,万一它消失了,所有其他意识的总和也无法取代,你难道不认为这很明显吗?所以说,人类是个特例,必须受到特别待遇,这难道不对吗?人类甚至不该彼此融合,更遑论和非人生物或无生物混在一起。”
“可是你当时决定支持盖娅。”
“那是为了一个凌驾一切的理由,而我自己也不清楚它是什么。”
“也许那个凌驾一切的理由,就是你隐约预见了非平衡生态的效应?你的推论有没有可能是这样的——银河中每个世界都好像立在刀刃上,两侧皆是不稳定的状态,只有盖哑星系能预防降临在这个世界的各种灾祸。至于持续不断的战争和腐败政治带来的苦难,那就更不在话下。”
“不,当我做出决定时,心中并未想到非平衡的生态。”
“你怎能确定?”
“我也许不知道自己原先预见了什么,但事后若有人对我提起,假如它的确是我曾预见的,我却能认出来。就好像我感觉得到,我当初也许料到这个世界会有危险的动物。”
“嗯,”宝绮思以严肃而平静的口吻说:“若不是我们两人通力合作——你的先见之明加上我的精神力场,那些危险动物可能已经要了我们的命。来吧,让我们做个朋友。”
崔维兹点了点头。“随你的便。”
他的声音透着几许冷淡,宝绮思不禁扬起眉毛。不过就在这个时候,裴洛拉特突然闯进来,使劲猛点着头,彷佛想将脑袋从脖子上摇下来。
“我想,”他说:“我们找到了。”
39
崔维兹通常并不相信轻易得来的胜利,然而,偶尔舍弃自己的明智判断也是人之常情。他现在觉得胸部与喉头的肌肉紧绷,但仍勉强开口问道:“地球的位置?你找到了吗,詹诺夫?”
裴洛拉特瞪了崔维兹一下,突然像是泄了气一样。“这个嘛,不是的,”他的脸涨得通红,“不完全是——事实上,葛兰,完全下是,我刚才根本忘了那回事。我在废墟中发现的是别的东西,我想它没有什么着要性。”
崔维兹深深吸了一口气。“不要紧,詹诺夫。每一项发现都着要,你跑来是要说什么?”
“嗯,”裴洛拉特说:“这里几乎没什么东西遗留下来,你也该了解。经过两万年的风吹雨打,能留到现在的东西实在下多。此外,植物生命会渐渐破坏遗迹,而动物生命——不过别管这些了,着点是‘几乎没有’并不等于‘完全没有’。
“这个废墟一定包含一座公共建筑物,因为有些掉落的石块,或者也许是混凝土,上面刻着—些文字。那些宇肉眼简直看不出来,你应该了解,老弟,不过我拍了许多相片,用太空船上的相机拍的,就是有内建电脑以增强功能的那种相机——我从来没机缓箸得你的同意,葛兰,可是真的很着要,所以我……”
崔维兹不耐烦地挥了挥手。“继续说!”
“那些文字我看得懂一些,是非常古老的文字。伹即使照相机有电脑辅助,再加上我阅读古代文字的能力不错,却也无法认出太多,真正看懂的只有一个词。那几个字的字体比较大,也比其他的字清楚一点,或许它们被故意刻得较深,因为它们代表的是这个世界。那个词就是‘奥罗拉行星’,所以我猜想,我们目前立足的这个世界叫作奥罗拉,或者说以前叫奥罗拉。”
“它总该有个名字。”崔维兹说。
“没错,可是名字很少会随便乱取。我刚才用我的图书馆仔细搜寻了一下,结果发现两则传说,来源刚好是两个相隔甚远的世界,根据这点,我们可做出一个合理的假设,那就是两者的来源完全无关——不过别管这个了。在那两则传说中,奥罗拉当曙光解释,我们可以假设,在银河标准语之前的某个语言中,奥罗拉的意思正是曙光。
“巧的是,相同类型的太空站或其他人造天体,第一个建好的便常用曙光或黎明这类名字命名。如果这个世界在某种语言中称为曙光,它也许就是同类世界的第一个。”
崔维兹问道:“你是不是想说,这颗行星就是地球,而奥罗拉是它的别名,因为这个名字代表了生命与人类的黎明?”
裴洛拉特说:“我不敢推测那么远,葛兰。”
崔维兹带点挖苦的口气说:“毕竟我们没发现放射性地表,没发现巨大的卫星,也没发现具有大型行星环的气态巨行星。”
“一点都没错。可是康普隆的那个丹尼亚多,他似乎认为这个世界曾经是第一波殖民者——外世界人定居的许多世界之一。果真如此的话,那么它既然叫作奥罗拉,也许就表示它是第一个外世界。此时我们脚下这颗行星,很可能是除了地球之外,银河中最古老的人类世界。这难道不令人兴奋吗?”
“不管怎么说,的确很有意思,詹诺夫。可是仅由奥罗拉一个名字,就推出了这些结论,是不是嫌太多了?”
“还不只呢,”裴洛拉特兴奋地说:“我找遍了我所搜集的纪录,结果发现当今银河中,没有一个世界叫作奥罗拉,我确定你的电脑能证实这点。正如我刚才所说,许多世界和其他天体都以曙光这一类名字命名,却没一个真正使用奥罗拉。”
“它们何必要用呢?如果那是在银河标准语之前的字眼,就不大可能流行到今天。”
“可是名字会保留下来——即使它们已经毫无意义。如果这里真是第一个殖民世界,它应该很有名气,甚至可能一度是银河的主宰。所以说,一定会有其他世界自称‘新奥罗拉’或‘小奥罗拉’,或者诸如此类的名称。而其他的……”
崔维兹突然插嘴道:“也许它并非第一个殖民世界,也许它从来就没什么着要性。”
“依我看有个更好的解释,我亲爱的兄弟。”
“什么样的解释,詹诺夫?”
“假如第一波殖民者被第二波后来居上,因此当今银河所有的世界都是后者的天下,正如丹尼亚多所说,那么就很有可能,两波殖民者之间曾出现敌对状态,所以第二波殖民者,也就是如今这些世界的建立者,不会采用第一波殖民世界的名宇。如此说来,我们可以根据奥罗拉这个名字从未着复的事实,推论出总共有两波殖民者,而此地是第一波殖民者建立的世界。”
崔维兹微微一笑。“我稍微弄懂了你们神话学家如何做学问,詹诺夫。你们总是建立一个美丽的理论体系,但它也许只是空中楼阁。传说告诉我们,第一波殖民者带了许多机器人随行,这想必就是他们覆灭的原因。现在,假使我们能在这个世界上找到一个机器人,我就愿意接受所有关于第一波殖民者的推测,可是我们不能指望经过两万……”
裴洛拉特的嘴巴蠕动好久,才终于发出声音来。“可是,葛兰,我没告诉你吗?没有,我当然没有,我太兴奋了,没法子把事情说得有条有理——这里的确有个机器人。”
40
崔维兹揉了揉额头,仿佛头疼得发胀。“一个机器人?这里有个机器人?”
“对。”裴洛拉特使劲点头。
“你怎么知道?”
“哎呀,它当然是机器人。我亲眼看到了,怎么可能认不出来?”
“你以前见过机器人吗?”
“没有,但那是个看来像人类的金属物体,有脑袋、双手、双脚和躯干。当然啦,我所谓的金属,其实几乎是堆铁銹。当我向它走近时,想必是脚步引起的震动使它进一步受损,所以当我伸手摸它……”
“你为什么要摸它?”
“这个嘛,我想是因为我无法完全相信自己的眼睛,那是种自然而然的反应。我才刚碰到它,它就散了开来,可是……”
“怎样?”
“在它快要散开来之前,它的眼睛似乎放出非常微弱的光芒,同时发出一个声音,像是试图说些什么。”
“你的意思是说它还在运作?”
“几乎谈不上,葛兰,然后它就崩溃了。”
崔维兹转向宝绮思。“你能证实这一切吗,宝绮思?”
“那是个机器人,我们都看到了。”宝绮思说。
“而它仍旧在运作?”
宝绮思以平板的语调说:“当它散开来的时候,我捕捉到一丝微弱的神经活动讯息。”
“怎么可能有神经活动?机器人没有细胞组成的有机大脑。”
“它具有电脑化的类似结构,我猜想,”宝绮思说:“而我侦测得到。”
“你侦测到的是机器人的精神作用,不是人类的?”
宝绮思噘了噘嘴。“它太微弱了,只能知道它的确存在,无法做出任何其他判断。”
崔维兹望着宝绮思,然后望向裴洛拉特,同时以激昂的口气说:“这就改变了一切。”

回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Chapter 9 :Facing the Pack
35The Far Star came to rest at the bottom of a smallrise, a hill in the generally flat countryside. Almost without thought,Trevize had taken it for granted that it would be best for the ship notto be visible for miles in every direction.
He said, "The temperature outside is 24 C., the wind is about elevenkilometers per hour from the west, and it is partly cloudy. The computerdoes not know enough about the general air circulation to be able topredict the weather. However, since the humidity is some forty percent,it seems scarcely about to rain. On the whole, we seem to have chosen acomfortable latitude or season of the year, and after Comporellon that'sa pleasure.""I suppose," said Pelorat, "that as the planet continues tounterraform, the weather will become more extreme.""I'm sure of that," said Bliss.
"Be as sure as you like," said Trevize. "We have thousands of yearsof leeway. Right now, it's still a pleasant planet and will continue tobe so for our lifetimes and far beyond."He was clasping a broad belt about his waist as he spoke, and Blisssaid sharply, "What's that, Trevize?""Just my old navy training," said Trevize. "I'm not going into anunknown world unarmed.""Are you seriously intending to carry weapons?""Absolutely. Here on my right" he slapped a holster thatcontained a massive weapon with a broad muzzle "is my blaster,and here on my left" a smaller weapon with a thin muzzle thatcontained no opening "is my neuronic whip.""Two varieties of murder," said Bliss, with distaste.
"Only one. The blaster kills. The neuronic whip doesn't. It juststimulates the pain nerves, and it hurts so that you can wish you weredead, I'm told. Fortunately, I've never been at the wrong end of one.""Why are you taking them?""I told you. It's an enemy world.""Trevize, it's an empty world.""Is it? There's no technological society, it would seem, but what ifthere are post-technological primitives. They may not possess anythingworse than clubs or rocks, but those can kill, too."Bliss looked exasperated, but lowered her voice in an effort to bereasonable. "I detect no human neuronic activity, Trevize. That eliminatesprimitives of any type, post-technological or otherwise.""Then I won't have to use my weapons," said Trevize. "Still, what harmwould there be in carrying them? They'll just make me a little heavier,and since the gravitational pull at the surface is about ninety-onepercent that of Terminus, I can afford the weight. Listen,the ship may be unarmed as a ship, but it has a reasonable supply ofhand-weapons. I suggest that you two also ""No," said Bliss at once. "I will not make even a gesture in thedirection of killing or of inflicting pain, either.""It's not a question of killing, but of avoiding being killed, ifyou see what I mean.""I can protect myself in my own way.""Janov?"Pelorat hesitated. "We didn't have arms on Comporellon.""Come, Janov, Comporellon was a known quantity, a world associatedwith the Foundation. Besides we were at once taken into custody. If we hadhad weapons, they would have been taken away. Do you want a blaster?"Pelorat shook his head. "I've never been in the Navy, old chap. Iwouldn't know how to use one of those things and, in an emergency, I wouldnever think of it in time. I'd just run and and get killed.""You won't get killed, Pel," said Bliss energetically. "Gaia has youin my/our/its protection, and that posturing naval hero as well."Trevize said, "Good. I have no objection to being protected, but I amnot posturing. I am simply making assurance doubly sure, and if I neverhave to make a move toward these things, I'll be completely pleased,I promise you. Still I must have them."He patted both weapons affectionately and said, "Now let's step outon this world which may not have felt the weight of human beings uponits surface for thousands of years."36"I have a feeling," said Pelorat, "that it must berather late in the day, but the sun is high enough to make it near noon,perhaps.""I suspect," said Trevize, looking about the quiet panorama, "thatyour feeling originates out of the sun's orange tint, which gives it asunset feel. If we're still here at actual sunset and the cloud formationsare proper, we ought to experience a deeper red than we're used to. Idon't know whether you'll find it beautiful or depressing. Forthat matter it was probably even more extreme on Comporellon, but therewe were indoors virtually all the time."He turned slowly, considering the surroundings in all directions. Inaddition to the almost subliminal oddness of the light, there was thedistinctive smell of the world or this section of it. It seemeda little musty, but far from actively unpleasant.
The trees nearby were of middling height, and looked old, with gnarledbark and trunks a little off the vertical, though because of a prevailingwind or something off-color about the soil he couldn't tell. Was itthe trees that lent a somehow menacing ambience to the world or was itsomething else less material?
Bliss said, "What do you intend to do, Trevize? Surely we didn't comeall this distance to enjoy the view?"Trevize said, "Actually, perhaps that ought to be my part of it justnow. I would suggest that Janov explore this place. There are ruinsoff in that direction and he's the one who can judge the value of anyrecords he might find. I imagine he can understand writings or films inarchaic Galactic and I know quite well I wouldn't. And I suppose, Bliss,you want to go with him in order to protect him. As for me, I will stayhere as a guard on the outer rim.""A guard against what? Primitives with rocks and clubs?""Perhaps." And then the smile that had hovered about his lips fadedand he said, "Oddly enough, Bliss, I'm a little uneasy about this place. Ican't say why."Pelorat said, "Come, Bliss. I've been a home-body collector ofold tales all my life, so I've never actually put my hands on ancientdocuments. Just imagine if we could find "Trevize watched them walk away, Pelorat's voice fading as he walkedeagerly toward the ruins; Bliss swinging along at his side.
Trevize listened absently and then turned back to continue his studyof the surroundings. What could there be to rouse apprehension?
He had never actually set foot upon a world without a human population,but he had viewed many from space. Usually, they were small worlds, notlarge enough to hold either water or air, but they had been useful asmarking a meeting site during naval maneuvers (there had been no war inhis lifetime, or for a century before his birth but maneuvers went on),or as an exercise in simulated emergency repairs. Ships he had been onhad been in orbit about such worlds, or had even rested on them, but hehad never had occasion to step off the ships at those times.
Was it that he was now actually standing on an empty world? Would hehave felt the same if he had been standing on one of the many small,airless worlds he had encountered in his student days and evensince?
He shook his head. It wouldn't have bothered him. He was sure ofthat. He would have been in a space suit, as he had been innumerabletimes when he was free of his ship in space. It was a familiar situationand contact with a mere lump of rock would have produced no alterationin the familiarity. Surely!
Of course He was not wearing a space suit now.
He was standing on a habitable world, as comfortable to the feel asTerminus would be far more comfortable than Comporellon had been. Heexperienced the wind against his cheek, the warmth of the sun on his back,the rustle of vegetation in his ears. Everything was familiar, exceptthat there were no human beings on it at least, not any longer.
Was that it? Was it that that made the world seem so eerie? Was itthat it was not merely an uninhabited world, but a deserted one?
He had never been on a deserted world before; never heard of a desertedworld before; never thought a world could be deserted. Allthe worlds he had known of till now, once they had been populated byhuman beings, remained so populated forever.
He looked up toward the sky. Nothing else had deserted it. Anoccasional bird flew across his line of vision, seeming more natural,somehow, than the slate-blue sky between the orange-tinted fair-weatherclouds. (Trevize was certain that, given a few days on the planet, hewould become accustomed to the off-color so that sky and clouds wouldgrow to seem normal to him.)He heard birdsongs from the trees, and the softer noise ofinsects. Bliss had mentioned butterflies earlier and here theywere in surprising numbers and in several colorful varieties.
There were also occasional rustlings in the clumps of grass thatsurrounded the trees, but he could not quite make out what was causingthem.
Nor did the obvious presence of life in his vicinity rouse fear inhim. As Bliss had said, terraformed worlds had, from the very first,lacked dangerous animals. The fairy tales of childhood, and the heroicfantasies of his teenage years were invariably set on a legendary worldthat must have been derived from the vague myths of Earth. The hyperdramaholoscreen had been filled with monsters lions, unicorns, dragons,whales, brontosaurs, bears. There were dozens of them with names hecould not remember; some of them surely mythical, and perhaps all ofthem. There were smaller animals that bit and stung, even plants thatwere fearful to the touch but only in fiction. He had once heardthat primitive honeybees were able to sting, but certainly no red beeswere in any way harmful.
Slowly, he walked to the right, skirting the border of the hill. Thegrass was tall and rank, but sparse, growing in clumps. He made his wayamong the trees, also growing in clumps.
Then he yawned. Certainly, nothing exciting was happening, andhe wondered if he might not retreat to the ship and take a nap. No,unthinkable. Clearly, he had to stand on guard.
Perhaps he ought to do sentry duty-marching, one, two, one two,swinging about with a snap and performing complicated maneuverings witha parade electro-rod. (It was a weapon no warrior had used in threecenturies, but it was still absolutely essential at drill, for no reasonanyone could ever advance.)He grinned at the thought of it, then wondered if he ought to joinPelorat and Bliss in the ruins. Why? What good would he do?
Suppose he saw something that Pelorat had happened tooverlook? Well, time enough to make the attempt after Peloratreturned. If there was anything that might be found easily, by all meanslet Pelorat make the discovery.
Might the two be in trouble? Foolish! What possible kind oftrouble?
And if there were trouble, they would call out.
He stopped to listen. He heard nothing.
And then the irresistible thought of sentry duty recurred to himand he found himself marching, feet moving up and down with a stamp,an imaginary electro-rod coming off one shoulder, whirling, and beingheld out straight before him, exactly vertical-whirling again, end overend, and back over the other shoulder. Then, with a smart about-face,he was looking toward the ship (rather far-off now) once more.
And when he did that, he froze in reality, and not in sentrymake-believe.
He was not alone.
Until then, he had not seen any living creature other than plantgrowth, insects, and an occasional bird. He had neither seen nor heardanything approach but now an animal stood between him and theship.
Sheer surprise at the unexpected event deprived him, for a moment, ofthe ability to interpret what he saw. It was not till after a perceptibleinterval that he knew what he was looking at.
It was only a dog.
Trevize was not a dog person. He had never owned a dog and hefelt no surge of friendliness toward one when he encountered it. Hefelt no such surge this time, either. He thought, rather impatiently,that there was no world on which these creatures had not accompaniedmen. They existed in countless varieties and Trevize had long had theweary impression that each world had at least one variety characteristicof itself. Nevertheless, all varieties were constant in this: whether theywere kept for entertainment, show, or some form of useful work theywere bred to love and trust human beings.
It was a love and trust Trevize had never appreciated. He had oncelived with a woman who had had a dog. That dog, whom Trevize toleratedfor the sake of the woman, conceived a deep-seated adoration for him,followed him about, leaned against him when relaxing (all fifty poundsof him), covered him with saliva and hair at unexpected moments, andsquatted outside the door and moaned whenever he and the woman weretrying to engage in sex.
From that experience, Trevize had emerged with the firm convictionthat for some reason known only to the canine mind and its odor-analyzingability, he was a fixed object of doggish devotion.
Therefore, once the initial surprise was over, he surveyed thedog without concern. It was a large dog, lean and rangy, and with longlegs. It was staring at him with no obvious sign of adoration. Its mouthwas open in what might have been taken as a welcoming grin, but theteeth displayed were somehow large and dangerous, and Trevize decidedthat he would be more comfortable without the dog in his line of view.
It occurred to him, then, that the dog had never seen a human being,and that countless canine generations preceding had never seen one. Thedog might have been as astonished and uncertain at the sudden appearanceof a human being as Trevize had been at that of the dog. Trevize, atleast, had quickly recognized the dog for what it was, but the dog didnot have that advantage. It was still puzzled, and perhaps alarmed.
Clearly, it would not be safe to leave an animal that large, andwith such teeth, in an alarmed state. Trevize realized that it would benecessary to establish a friendship at once.
Very slowly, he approached the dog (no sudden motions, of course). Heheld out his hand, ready to allow it to be sniffed, and made soft,soothing sounds, most of which consisted of "Nice doggy" somethinghe found intensely embarrassing.
The dog, eyes fixed on Trevize, backed away a step or two, as thoughin distrust, and then its upper lip wrinkled into a snarl and from itsmouth there issued a rasping growl. Although Trevize had never seen a dogbehave so, there was no way of interpreting the action as representinganything but menace.
Trevize therefore stopped advancing and froze. His eyes caughtmotion to one side, and his head turned slowly. There were two otherdogs advancing from that direction. They looked just as deadly as thefirst.
Deadly? That adjective occurred to him only now, and its dreadfulappropriateness was unmistakable.
His heart was suddenly pounding. The way to the ship was blocked. Hecould not run aimlessly, for those long canine legs would reach him inyards. If he stood his ground and used his blaster, then while he killedone, the other two would be upon him. Off in the distance, he could seeother dogs approaching. Was there some way in which they communicated? Didthey hunt in packs?
Slowly, he shifted ground leftward, in a direction in which therewere no dogs as yet. Slowly.........
The dogs shifted ground with him. He felt certain that all that savedhim from instant attack was the fact that the dogs had never seen orsmelled anything like himself before. They had no established behaviorpattern they could follow in his case.
If he ran, of course, that would represent something familiar to thedogs. They would know what to do if something the size of Trevize showedfear and ran. They would run, too. Faster.
Trevize kept sidling toward a tree. He had the wildest desire to moveupward where the dogs could not follow. They moved with him, snarlingsoftly, coming closer. All three had their eyes fixed unwinkingly uponhim. Two more were joining them and, farther off, Trevize could seestill other dogs approaching. At some point, when he was close enough,he would have to make the dash. He could not wait too long, or run toosoon. Either might be fatal.
Now!
He probably set a personal record for acceleration and even so it wasa near thing. He felt the snap of jaws close on the heel of one foot,and for just moment he was held fast before the teeth slid off thetough ceramoid.
He was not skilled at climbing trees. He had not climbed one since hewas ten and, as he recalled, that had been a clumsy effort. In this case,though, the trunk was not quite vertical, and the bark was gnarled andoffered handholds. What was more, he was driven by necessity, and it isremarkable what one can do if the need is great enough.
Trevize found himself sitting in a crotch, perhaps ten meters aboveground. For the moment he was totally unaware that he had scraped handand that it was oozing blood. At the base of the tree, five dogs now ontheir haunches, staring upward, tongues lolling, all looking patientlyexpectant.
What now?
37Trevize was not in a position to think about thesituation in logical detail. Rather, he experienced flashes of thought inodd and distorted sequence which, if he had eventually sorted them out,would have come to this Bliss had earlier maintained that in terraforming a planet, humanbeings would establish an unbalanced economy, which they would be able tokeep from falling apart only by unending effort. For instance, no Settlershad brought with them any of the large predators. Small ones could not behelped. Insects, parasites even small hawks, shrews, and so on.
Those dramatic animals of legend and vague literaryaccounts tigers, grizzly bears, orcs, crocodiles? Who would carrythem from world to world even if there were sense to it? And where wouldthere be sense to it?
It meant that human beings were the only large predators, and it wasup to them to cull those plants and animals that, left to themselves,would smother in their own overplenty.
And if human beings somehow vanished, then other predators must taketheir place. But what predators? The most sizable predators toleratedby human beings were dogs and cats, tamed and living on human bounty.
What if no human beings remained to feed them? They must thenfind their own food for their survival and, in all truth, forthe survival of those they preyed on, whose numbers had to be kept incheck lest overpopulation do a hundred times the damage that predationswould do.
So dogs would multiply, in their variations, with the large onesattacking the large, untended herbivores; the smaller ones preying onbirds and rodents. Cats would prey by night as dogs did by day; theformer singly, the latter in packs.
And perhaps evolution would eventually produce more varieties, tofill additional environmental niches. Would some dogs eventually developsea-going characteristics to enable them to live on fish; and would somecats develop gliding abilities to hunt the clumsier birds in the air aswell as on the ground?
In flashes, all this came to Trevize while he struggled with moresystematic thought to tell him what he might do.
The number of dogs kept growing. He counted twenty-three nowsurrounding the tree and there were others approaching. How large wasthe pack? What did it matter? It was large enough already.
He withdrew his blaster from its holster, but the solid feel of thebutt in his hand did not give him the sense of security he would haveliked. When had he last inserted an energy unit into it and how manycharges could he fire? Surely not twenty-three.
What about Pelorat and Bliss? If they emerged, would the dogs turnon them? Were they safe even if they did not emerge? If the dogs sensedthe presence of two human beings inside the ruins, what could stop themfrom attacking them there? Surely there would be no doors or barriersto hold them off.
Could Bliss stop them, and even drive them away? Could she concentrateher powers through hyperspace to the desired pitch of intensity? Forhow long could she maintain them?
Should he call for help then? Would they come running if he yelled,and would the dogs flee under Bliss's glare? (Would it take a glare orwas it simply a mental action undetectable to onlookers without theability?) Or, if they appeared, would they then be torn apart underthe eyes of Trevize, who would be forced to watch, helplessly, from therelative safety of his post in the tree?
No, he would have to use his blaster. If he could kill one dog andfrighten them off for just a while, he could scramble down the tree,yell for Pelorat and Bliss, kill a second dog if they showed signs ofreturning, and all three could then hustle into the ship.
He adjusted the intensity of the microwave beam to the three-quartermark. That should be ample to kill a dog with a loud report. The reportwould serve to frighten the dogs away, and he would be conservingenergy.
He aimed carefully at a dog in the middle of the pack, one who seemed(in Trevize's own imagination, at least) to exude a greater malignancythan the rest perhaps only because he sat more quietly and,therefore, seemed more cold-bloodedly intent on his prey. The dog wasstaring directly at the weapon now, as though it scorned the worstTrevize could do.
It occurred to Trevize that he had never himself fired a blasterat a human being, or seen anyone else do it. There had been firing atwater-filled dummies of leather and plastic during training; with thewater almost instantaneously heated to the boiling point, and shreddingthe covering as it exploded.
But who, in the absence of war, would fire at a human being? Andwhat human being would withstand a blaster and force its use? Only here,on world made pathological by the disappearance of human beings With that odd ability of the brain to note something utterly besidethe point, Trevize was aware of the fact that a cloud had hidden thesun-and then he fired.
There was an odd shimmer of the atmosphere on a straight line fromthe muzzle of the blaster to the dog; a vague sparkle that might havegone unnoticed if the sun were still shining unhindered.
The dog must have felt the initial surge of heat, and made thesmallest motion as though it were about to leap. And then it exploded,as a portion its blood and cellular contents vaporized.
The explosion made a disappointingly small noise, for the dog'sintegument was simply not as tough as that of the dummies they hadpracticed on. Flesh, skin, blood, and bone were scattered, however,and Trevize felt his stomach heave.
The dogs started back, some having been bombarded with uncomfortablywarm fragments. That was only a momentary hesitation, however. Theycrowded against each other suddenly, in order to eat what had beenprovided. Trevize felt his sickness increase. He was not frighteningthem; he was feeding them. At that rate, they would never leave. In fact,the smell of fresh blood and warm meat would attract still more dogs,and perhaps other smaller predators as well.
A voice called out, "Trevize. What "Trevize looked outward. Bliss and Pelorat had emerged from theruins. Bliss had stopped short, her arms thrown out to keep Peloratback. She stared at the dogs. The situation was obvious and clear. Shehad to ask nothing.
Trevize shouted, "I tried to drive them off without involving youand Janov. Can you hold them off?""Barely," said Bliss, not shouting, so that Trevize had troublehearing her even though the dogs' snarling had quieted as though asoothing soundabsorbent blanket had been thrown over them.
Bliss said, "There are too many of them, and I am not familiar withtheir pattern of neuronic activity. We have no such savage things onGaia.""Or on Terminus. Or on any civilized world," shouted Trevize. "I'llshoot as many of them as I can and you try to handle the rest. A smallernumber will give you less trouble.""No, Trevize. Shooting them will just attract others. Staybehind me, Pel. There's no way you can protect me. Trevize, yourother weapon.""The neuronic whip?""Yes. That produces pain. Low power. Low power!""Are you afraid of hurting them?" called out Trevize in anger. "Isthis a time to consider the sacredness of life?""I'm considering Pel's. Also mine. Do as I say. Low power, and shootat one of the dogs. I can't hold them much longer."The dogs had drifted away from the tree and had surrounded Bliss andPelorat, who stood with their backs to a crumbling wall. The dogs nearestthe two made hesitant attempts to come closer still, whining a bit asthough trying to puzzle out what it was that held them off when theycould sense nothing that would do it. Some tried uselessly to scrambleup the wall and attack from behind.
Trevize's hand was trembling as he adjusted the neuronic whip to lowpower. The neuronic whip used much less energy than the blaster did,and a single power-cartridge could produce hundreds of whip-like strokesbut, come to think of it, he didn't remember when he had last chargedthis weapon, either.
It was not so important to aim the whip. Since conserving energy wasnot as critical, he could use it in a sweep across the mass of dogs. Thatwas the traditional method of controlling crowds that showed signs ofturning dangerous.
However, he followed Bliss's suggestion. He aimed at one dogand fired. The dog fell over, its legs twitching. It emitted loud,high-pitched squeals.
The other dogs backed away from the stricken beast, ears flatteningbackward against their heads. Then, squealing in their turn, they turnedand left, at first slowly, then more rapidly, and finally, at a fullrace. The dog who had been hit, scrambled painfully to its legs, andlimped away whimpering, much the last of them.
The noise vanished in the distance, and Bliss said, "We had betterget into the ship. They will come back. Or others will."Trevize thought that never before had he manipulated the ship's entrymechanism so rapidly. And it was possible he might never do so again.
38Night had fallen before Trevize felt somethingapproaching the normal. The small patch of syntho-skin on the scrape onhis hand had soothed the physical pain, but there was a scrape on hispsyche for which soothing was not so easy.
It was not the mere exposure to danger. He could react to that as wellas any ordinarily brave person might. It was the totally unlooked-fordirection from which the danger had come. It was the feeling of theridiculous. How would it look if people were to find out he had beentreed by snarling dogs ? It would scarcely be worse if hehad been put to flight by the whirring of angry canaries.
For hours, he kept listening for a new attack on the part of thedogs, for ths, sound of howls, for the scratch of claws against theouter hull.
Pelorat, by comparison, seemed quite cool. "There was no question inmy mind, old chap, that Bliss would handle it, but I must say you firedthe weapon well."Trevize shrugged. He was in no mood to discuss the matter.
Pelorat was holding his library the one compact disc on whichhis lifetime of research into myths and legends were stored andwith it he retreated into his bedroom where he kept his small reader.
He seemed quite pleased with himself. Trevize noticed that but didn'tfollow it up. Time for that later when his mind wasn't quite as takenup with dogs.
Bliss said, rather tentatively, when the two were alone, "I presumeyou were taken by surprise.""Quite," said Trevize gloomily. "Who would think that at the sightof a dog a dog  I should run for my life.""Twenty thousand years without men and it would not be quite a dog.
Those beasts must now be the dominant large predators."Trevize nodded. "I figured that out while I was sitting on thetree branch being a dominated prey. You were certainly right about anunbalanced ecology.""Unbalanced, certainly, from the human standpoint but consideringhow efficiently the dogs seem to be going about their business, I wonderif Pel may be right in his suggestion that the ecology could balanceitself, with various environmental niches being filled by evolvingvariations of the relatively few species that were once brought tothe world.""Oddly enough," said Trevize, "the same thought occurred to me.""Provided, of course, the unbalance is not so great that the processof righting itself takes too long. The planet might become completelynonviable before that."Trevize grunted.
Bliss looked at him thoughtfully, "How is it that you thought ofarming yourself?"Trevize said, "It did me little good. It was your ability ""Not entirely. I needed your weapon. At short notice, with onlyhyperspatial contact with the rest of Gaia, with so many individualminds of so unfamiliar a nature, I could have done nothing without yourneuronic whip.""My blaster was useless. I tried that.""With a blaster, Trevize, a dog merely disappears. The rest may besurprised, but not frightened.""Worse than that," said Trevize. "They ate the remnants. I was bribingthem to stay.""Yes, I see that might be the effect. The neuronic whip isdifferent. It inflicts pain, and a dog in pain emits cries of a kind thatare well understood by other dogs who, by conditioned reflex, if nothingelse, begin to feel frightened themselves. With the dogs already disposedtoward fright, I merely nudged their minds, and off they went.""Yes, but you realized the whip was the more deadly of the two inthis case. I did not.""I am accustomed to dealing with minds. You are not. That's why Iinsisted on low power and aiming at one dog. I did not want so much painthat it killed a dog and left him silent. I did not want the pain sodispersed as to cause mere whimpering. I wanted strong pain concentratedat one point.""And you got it, Bliss," said Trevize. "It worked perfectly. I oweyou considerable gratitude.""You begrudge that," said Bliss thoughtfully, "because it seems to youthat you played a ridiculous role. And yet, I repeat, I could have donenothing without your weapons. What puzzles me is how you can explainyour arming yourself in the face of my assurance that there were nohuman beings on this world, something I am still certain is a fact. Didyou foresee the dogs?""No," said Trevize. "I certainly didn't. Not consciously, at least. AndI don't habitually go armed, either. It never even occurred to me to puton weapons at Comporellon. But I can't allow myself to trip intothe trap of feeling it was magic, either. It couldn't have been. I suspectthat once we began talking about unbalanced ecologies earlier, I somehowhad an unconscious glimpse of animals grown dangerous in the absence ofhuman beings. That is clear enough in hindsight, but I might have had a whiff of it in foresight. Nothing more than that."Bliss said, "Don't dismiss it that casually. I participated in thesame conversation concerning unbalanced ecologies and I didn't havethat same foresight. It is that special trick of foresight in you thatGaia values. I can see, too, that it must be irritating to you to havea hidden foresight the nature of which you cannot detect; to act withdecision, but without clear reason.""The usual expression on Terminus is `to act on a hunch.'""On Gaia we say, `to know without thought.' You don't like knowingwithout thought, do you?""It bothers me, yes. I don't like being driven by hunches. I assumehunch has reason behind it, but not knowing the reason makes me feelI'm not in control of my own mind a kind of mild madness.""And when you decided in favor of Gaia and Galaxia, you were actingon s hunch, and now you seek the reason.""I have said so at least a dozen times.""And I have refused to accept your statement as literal truth. Forthat I am sorry. I will oppose you in this no longer. I hope, though,that I may continue to point out items in Gaia's favor.""Always," said Trevize, "if you, in turn, recognize that I may notaccept them.""Does it occur to you, then, that this Unknown World is reverting to akind of savagery, and perhaps to eventual desolation and uninhabitability,because of the removal of a single species that is capable of acting asa guiding intelligence? If the world were Gaia, or better yet, a part ofGalaxia, this could not happen. The guiding intelligence would still existin the form of the Galaxy as a whole, and ecology, whenever unbalanced,and for whatever reason, would move toward balance again.""Does that mean that dogs would no longer eat?""Of course they would eat, just as human beings do. They would however,with purpose, in order to balance the ecology under deliberate direction,and not as a result of random circumstance."Trevize said, "The loss of individual freedom might not matter to dogs,but it must matter to human beings. And what if all human beings were removed from existence, everywhere, and not merelyon one world or on several? What if Galaxia were left without humanbeings at all? Would there still be a guiding intelligence? Would allother life forms and inanimate matter be able to put together a commonintelligence adequate for the purpose?"Bliss hesitated. "Such a situation," she said, "has never beenexperienced. Nor does there seem any likelihood that it will ever beexperienced in the future."Trevize said, "Hut doesn't it seem obvious to you, that the humanmind is qualitatively different from everything else, and that if itwere absent, the sum total of all other consciousness could not replaceit. Would it not be true, then, that human beings are a special case andmust be treated as such? They should not be fused even with one another,let alone with nonhuman objects.""Yet you decided in favor of Galaxia.""For an overriding reason I cannot make out.""Perhaps that overriding reason was a glimpse of the effect ofunbalanced ecologies? Might it not have been your reasoning that everyworld in the Galaxy is on a knife-edge, with instability on either side,and that only Galaxia could prevent such disasters as are taking placeon this world to say nothing of the continuing interhuman disastersof war and administrative failure.""No. Unbalanced ecologies were not in my mind at the time of mydecision.""How can you be sure?""I may not know what it is I'm foreseeing, but if something issuggested afterward, I would recognize it if that were indeed what Iforesaw. As it seems to me I may have foreseen dangerous animalson this world.""Well," said Bliss soberly, "we might have been dead as a resultof those dangerous animals if it had not been for a combination ofour powers, your foresight and my mentalism. Come, then, let us befriends."Trevize nodded. "If you wish."There was a chill in his voice that caused Bliss's eyebrows to rise,but at this point Pelorat burst in, nodding his head as though preparedto shake it off its foundations.
"I think," he said, "we have it."39Trevize did not, in general, believe in easy victories,and yet it was only human to fall into belief against one's betterjudgment. He felt the muscles in his chest and throat tighten, but managedto say, "The location of Earth? Have you discovered that, Janov?"Pelorat stared at Trevize for a moment, and deflated. "Well, no,"he said, visibly abashed. "Not quite that. Actually, Golan, notthat aaaall. I had forgotten about that. It was something else that Idiscovered in the ruins. I suppose it's not really important."Trevize managed a long breath and said, "Never mind, Janov. Everyfinding is important. What was it you came in to say?""Well," said Pelorat, "it's just that almost nothing survived,you understand. Twenty thousand years of storm and wind don't leavemuch. What's more, plant life is gradually destructive and animallife But never mindaall that. The point is that `almost nothing'
is not the same as `nothing.'
"The ruins must have included a public building, for there was somefallen stone, or concrete, with incised lettering upon it. There washardly anything visible, you understand, old chap, but I took photographswith one of those cameras we have on board ship, the kind with built-incomputer enhancement I never got round to asking permission totake one, Golan, but it was important, and I "Trevize waved his hand in impatient dismissal. "Go on!""I could make out some of the lettering, which was very archaic. Evenwith computer enhancement and with my own fair skill at reading Archaic,it was impossible to make out much except for one short phrase. Theletters there were larger and a bit clearer than the rest. They may havebeen incised more deeply because they identified the world itself. Thephrase reads, `Planet Aurora,' so I imagine this world we rest upon isnamed Aurora, or was named Aurora.""It had to be named something," said Trevize.
"Yes, but names are very rarely chosen at random. I made a carefulsearch of my library just now and there are two old legends, from twowidely spaced worlds, as it happens, so that one can reasonably supposethem to be of independent origin, if one remembers that. But nevermind that. In both legends, Aurora is used as a name for the dawn. Wecan suppose that Aurora may have actually meant dawn insome pre-Galactic language.
"As it happens, some word for dawn or daybreak is often used as aname for space stations or other structures that are the first built oftheir kind. If this world is called Dawn in whatever language, it maybe the first of its kind, too."Trevize said, "Are you getting ready to suggest that this planet isEarth and that Aurora is an alternate name for it because it representsthe dawn of life and of man?"Pelorat said, "I couldn't go that far, Golan."Trevize said, with a trace of bitterness, "There is, after all,no radioactive surface, no giant satellite, no gas giant with hugerings.""Exactly. But Deniador, back on Comporellon, seemed to think thiswas one of the worlds that was once inhabited by the first wave ofSettlers the Spacers. If it were, then its name, Aurora, mightindicate it to have been the first of those Spacer worlds. We might,at this very moment, be resting on the oldest human world in the Galaxyexcept for Earth itself. Isn't that exciting?""Interesting, at any rate, Janov, but isn't that a great deal toinfer merely from the name, Aurora?""There's more," said Pelorat excitedly. "As far as I could checkin my records there is no world in the Galaxy today with the name of`Aurora,' and I'm sure your computer will verify that. As I said, thereare all sorts of world and other objects named `Dawn' in various ways,but no one uses the actual word `Aurora.'""Why should they? If it's a pre-Galactic word, it wouldn't be likelyto be popular.""But names do remain, even when they're meaningless. Ifthis were the first settled world, it would be famous; it might even,for a while, have been the dominant world of the Galaxy. Surely, therewould be other worlds calling themselves `New Aurora,' or `Aurora Minor,'
or something like that. And then others "Trevize broke in. "Perhaps it wasn't the first settled world. Perhapsit was never of any importance.""There's a better reason in my opinion, my dear chap.""What would that be, Janov?""If the first wave of settlements was overtaken by a second waveto which all the worlds of the Galaxy now belong as Deniadorsaid then there is very likely to have been a period of hostilitybetween the two waves. The second wave making up the worlds thatnow exist would not use the names given to any of the worlds ofthe first wave. In that way, we can infer from the fact that the name`Aurora' has never been repeated that there were two waves of Settlers,and that this is a world of the first wave."Trevize smiled. "I'm getting a glimpse of how you mythologists work,Janov. You build a beautiful superstructure, but it may be standingon air. The legends tell us that the Settlers of the first wave wereaccompanied by numerous robots, and that these were supposed to be theirundoing. Now if we could find a robot on this world, I'd be willingto accept all this first-wave supposition, but we can't expect aftertwenty thou "Pelorat, whose mouth had been working, managed to find his voice. "But,Golan, haven't I told you? No, of course, I haven't. I'm soexcited I can't put things in the right order. There was a robot."40Trevize rubbed his forehead, almost as though he werein pain. He said, "A robot? There was a robot?""Yes," said Pelorat, nodding his head emphatically.
"How do you know?""Why, it was a robot. How could I fail to know one if I see one?""Have you ever seen a robot before?""No, but it was a metal object that looked like a human being. Head,arms, legs, torso. Of course, when I say metal, it was mostly rust, andwhen I walked toward it, I suppose the vibration of my tread damaged itfurther, so that when I reached to touch it ""Why should you touch it?""Well, I suppose I couldn't quite believe my eyes. It was an automaticresponse. As soon as I touched it, it crumbled. But ""Yes?""Before it quite did, its eyes seemed to glow very faintly and itmade a sound as though it were trying to say something.""You mean it was still functioning ?""Just barely, Golan. Then it collapsed."Trevize turned to Bliss. "Do you corroborate all this, Bliss?""It was a robot, and we saw it," said Bliss.
"And was it still functioning?"Bliss said tonelessly, "As it crumbled, I caught a faint sense ofneuronic activity.""How can there have been neuronic activity? A robot doesn't have anorganic brain built of cells.""It has the computerized equivalent, I imagine," said Bliss, "and Iwould detect that.""Did you detect a robotic rather than a human mentality?"Bliss pursed her lips and said, "It was too feeble to decide anythingabout it except that it was there."Trevize looked at Bliss, then at Pelorat, and said, in a tone ofexasperation, "This changes everything."

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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第四部 索拉利星 第十章 机器人
 41
晚餐时,崔维兹似乎陷入沉思,宝绮思则将注意力集中在食物上。
只有裴洛拉特看来很想说话,他指出,如果这个世界真是奥罗拉,又如果它的确是第一个殖民世界,它就应该与地球相当接近。
“也许值得在附近星空做一次地毯式搜索,”他说:“顶多是往返几百颗恒星而已。”
崔维兹低声答道,漫无目标地寻找是下下策,即使他找到了地球的位置,也要先尽量搜集相关资料,然后才会试图接近它。他的回答仅止于此,裴洛拉特显然被泼了一盆冷水,只好渐渐闭上嘴巴。
晚餐后,崔维兹仍不主动说一句话。裴洛拉特试探性地问:“我们要留在这里吗,葛兰?”
“总得过一夜,”崔维兹说:“我需要多考虑一下。”
“这样安全吗?”
“除非附近还有比野狗更凶的东西,”崔维兹说:“否则我们在太空船中相当安全。”
裴洛拉特说:“如果附近真有比野狗更凶的东西,得花多少时间才能起飞?”
崔维兹说:“目前电脑维持发射警戒状态,我想我们能在两三分钟内起飞。而且若有任何意外事故发生,电脑缓螈刻警告我们,所以我建议大家都睡会儿。明天早上,我会决定下一步该怎么做。”
说得容易,崔维兹在黑暗中张大眼睛时,心里这么想。他现在蜷缩成一团,只脱下了外套,就这么躺在电脑室的地板上。这样实在很不舒服,但他可以肯定,此时即使是他的床也无法助他入眠。而待在这里,万一电脑发出警告讯号,他至少能立即采取行动。
他听到一阵脚步声,不假思索便坐了起来,头一下小心撞上桌缘。虽然没受伤,他还是忍不住皱着眉头伸手揉了半天。
“詹诺夫?”他含糊问道,同时眼泪夺眶而出。
“不,是宝绮思。”
崔维兹一只手伸出桌缘,与电脑稍微接触了一下,室内随即充满柔和的光芒。他立刻看到宝绮思站在面前,穿着一件淡粉红色的缠身袍。
崔维兹说:“什么事?”
“我到你的寝舱找你,你不在那儿。不过,你的神经活动我不会弄错,我就一直跟到这里,而你显然还没睡着,所以我就走进来了。”
“好吧,但你要做什么呢?”
她靠着舱壁坐下,双膝并拢,将下巴搁在膝头上。“别担心,我并非企图夺走你所剩无几的童贞。”
“我没有这种幻想。”崔维兹反唇相讥,“你怎么没睡觉?你比我们更需要睡眠。”
“相信我,”她用一种低沉而真诚的语调说:“野狗带来的这段插曲,实在令人筋疲力尽。”
“这点我相信。”
“可是我得趁裴睡觉的时候,来跟你谈一谈。”
“谈什么?”
宝绮思说:“他跟你提到机器人的时候,你说那就改变了一切,这句话是什么意思?”
崔维兹说:“你难道看不出来吗?我们总共有三组座标,代表三个禁忌世界。我打算三个都探访一番,好尽量多了解地球,然后才准备向地球进军。”
他侧身向她稍微靠去,以便将声音压得更低,伹又猛然退回。“听着,我不希望詹诺夫进来这里找我们,我不知道他心里会怎么想。”
“不大可能。他正在睡觉,我又将他的睡意加强了点。如果他睡不稳当,我会知道的——继续吧,三个世界你都打算探访,那是什么改变了呢?”
“我并未计画在任何世界浪费不必要的时间,如果这个世界,奥罗拉,已经两万年没有人类居住,就很难令人相信会有什么有价值的资料留下来。我不想花上几周甚至几个月,趴在行星表面徒劳无功地摸索,还得击退野狗、野猫、野牛,或是其他任何变得狂野危险的动物,只为了希望在尘上、铁銹、腐物中找到一片残存的参考资料。也许在另外一两个禁忌世界上,会有活生生的人类和完好如初的图书馆,所以我本来打算立刻离开这个世界。假使我那样做了,我们现在已经置身太空,正安稳地呼呼大睡。”
“可是?”
“可是如果这个世界上还有运作中的机器人,它们就可能拥有我们需要的着要资料。和人类比起来,跟它们打交道较为安全,因为我听说,它们必须服从命令,而且不能伤害人类。”
“所以现在你改变计画,准备花时间在这个世界上寻找机器人?”
“我并不想这么做,宝绮思。我总以为在缺乏维修的情况下,机器人无法维持两万年的寿命。不过,既然你们碰到了一个仍有些微活动迹象的机器人,那显然代表我以常识对机器人所做的猜测并不可靠。我不能懵懵懂懂地领导大家行动。机器人也许比我想像中更耐用,或者具有某种自我维修的能力。”
宝绮思说:“听我说,崔维兹,并且请你务必保密。”
“保密?”崔维兹相当惊讶,连音量都提高了。“对谁保密?”
“嘘!当然是对裴。听好,你不必改变你的计画,你原先的想法是对的。在这个世界上,根本没有仍在运作的机器人,我什么也没侦测到。”
“你侦测到了那个啊,有一个就等于……”
“我没有侦测到什么,它没有在运作,早就不再运作了。”
“可是你说——”
“我知道我说过什么——裴认为他看到了动作,听到了声音。裴是个浪漫主义者,他一辈子的工作就是搜集资料,可是想要在学术界扬名立万,那种做法是难上加难。他深切渴望有个属于自己的着大成就,奥罗拉这个名字确实是他发现的,你难以想像他因此有多快乐,所以他拼命想发现更多的东西。”
崔维兹说:“你是在告诉我,他太希望能有所发现,因此自以为遇到一个运作中的机器人,而事实上根本没这回事?”
“他遇到的只是一块铁銹,它拥有的意识不会比它下面那块岩石更多。”
“可是你支持他的说法。”
“我不忍心夺走他的幻象,他对我是那么着要。”
崔维兹盯着她足有一分钟之久,然后才说:“你能不能解释一下,为什么他对你那么着要?我想知道,我真很想知道。对你来说,他一定像个糟老头子,毫无浪漫气息可言;他是个孤立体,而你一向鄙视孤立体。你既年轻又漂后,盖哑一定有些部分是生龙活虎、英俊潇洒的年轻男性胴体,你要是跟他们在一起,肉体关系必定能藉着盖哑的共鸣达到欢乐的顶峰。所以说,你究竟看上詹诺夫哪一点?”
宝绮思一本正经地望着崔维兹。“你难道不爱他吗?”
崔维兹耸了耸肩,答道:“我对他很有好感,我想你可以说我爱他,以一种和性爱无关的方式。”
“你认识他没多久,崔维兹,为什么会以一种和性爱无关的方式爱他?”
崔维兹发现自己不知不觉露出微笑。“他是这么一个古怪的家伙,我真心相信在他一生之中,从来没有为自己着想过。他奉命和我同行,于是他来了,没有一点异议;他本来要我到川陀去,可是当我说要去盖哑,他也没和我争论;而现在,他又跟着我进行寻找地球的任务,虽然他一定知道非常危险。我绝对可以相信,万一他必须为我——或者为别人——牺牲自己的生命,他也会愿意的,而且不会有任何怨言。”
“你会为他牺牲性命吗,崔维兹?”
“我可能会,假如我没有时间考虑的话。若是有时间考虑,我便会犹豫,结果或许就会逃避,我没有他那么善良。就是因为这样,我才有一种强烈的冲动,想要尽力保护他,让他保有一颗善良的心。我不希望银河把他教坏了,你了解吗?而我特别要提防你,天知道你看中他哪一点,要是那点不再吸引你,你很可能会把他甩掉,我一想到这件事就难以忍受。”
“没错,我就知道你会有这种想法。你难道未曾想到,裴在我眼中和在你眼中一样——甚至我看得更透澈,因为我可以直接接触他的心灵?我表现得像是想伤害他吗?若非我不忍心伤害他,当他以为看到一个运作中的机器人时,我会支持他的幻想吗?崔维兹,你所谓的善良我相当熟悉,因为盖哑每一部分随时都愿意为整体牺牲,除此之外,我们不知道也不了解其他的行事原则。伹我们那样做没有放弃什么,因为每一部分都等于整体,不过我不指望你了解这一点。而裴却不同——”
宝绮思不再望着崔维兹,彷佛在自言自语。“他是个孤立体。他没有私心私欲,并非由于他是某个大我的一部分,他没有私心就是单纯因为他没有私心。你明白我的意思吗?他可能失去所有一切而得不到任何好处,但他就是有那种胸襟。他令我感到惭愧,我是不怕有任何损失才会如此大方,他没有希望获得任何利益,却仍能保有那样的胸襟。”
她又抬起头来望着崔维兹,神情显得极为严肃。“你知道我对他的了解,比你可能做到的深入多少吗?你认为我会以任何方式伤害他吗?”
崔维兹说:“宝绮思,今天稍早的时候,你曾经说过:‘来吧,让我们做个朋友。’我则回说:‘随你的便。’我当时的反应很勉强,因为我想到你可能会伤害詹诺夫。现在,轮到我说了,来吧,宝绮思,让我们做个朋友。你可以继续指出盖哑星系的优点,我也许仍会拒绝接受,不过即使这样,还是让我们做个朋友吧。”说完他就伸出手来。
“没问题,崔维兹。”她答道,同时两人紧紧握住了对方的手。
42
崔维兹冲着自己默默一笑,那只是一种内在的笑容,因为他的嘴角没有丝毫牵动。
当初,他用电脑搜寻第一组座标标示的恒星时(并不肯定有没有),裴洛拉特与宝绮思两人都专心地旁观,并且提出许多问题。现在,他们却待在寝舱里睡大觉——至少是在休息,而将所有工作都留给崔维兹负责。
就某个角度而言,这点令他相当得意,因为崔维兹觉得他们接受了一项事实,那就是他完全知道自己在做什么,不需要任何的监督或鼓励。在这方面,崔维兹从第一站获得了足够的经验,知道应更加信赖电脑,并且感到它即使需要监督,自己也不必盯得那么紧。
另一颗恒星出现了——明后耀眼,但银河舆图中却没有纪录。与奥罗拉环绕的恒星相比,这第二颗恒星显得更明后,而它在电脑中竟然没有纪录,也就更加耐人寻味。
崔维兹不禁惊叹古代传说的奇奥之处。在人类意识中,几个世纪也许会缩成一点点,甚至全然消失无踪,许多文明可能完全遭到遗忘。伹在无数逝去的世纪、那么多的文明之中,仍会有一两件事项完好地流传下来,例如那几组座标便是。
不久之前,他对裴洛拉特提到这点。裴洛拉特立刻告诉他,这正是研究神话传说如此迷人的原因。“诀窍在于,”裴洛拉特说:“找出或判定传说中哪些成分代表史实与真相。这件事并不容易,不同的神话学家很可能会选取不同的成分,通常取决于何者刚好符合他们自己的诠释。”
无论如何,丹尼亚多提供的座标之一,经过时间修正后,正好就是如今这颗恒星的位置。现在,崔维兹愿意下更大的赌注,赌第三颗恒星同样位于座标点上。若真如此,他愿意更进一步,考虑禁忌世界共有五十个的传说也是正确的(虽然那是个可疑的整数),而且,还会开始研究其他四十七个世界的位置。
接着,他发现了一个可住人的世界——禁忌世界——围绕着这颗恒星。这回,它的出现没有在崔维兹心中激起一丝涟漪,他本来就绝对肯定它会在那里。他立刻驾驶远星号进入它的低速轨道。
云层还算稀疏,从太空中能将地表看得相当清楚。跟几乎所有的可住人世界一样,这也是个多水的世界,包括一个无间断的热带海洋,以及两个完整的极地冰洋。在一侧的中纬度地带,有一块长条状的陆地,弯弯曲曲地环绕着整个世界,陆地两侧有一些海湾,造成了几个狭窄的地峡。在另一个半球的中纬度地带,陆地分裂成三大部分,每部分的南北宽度都比另一半球的陆地更宽。
崔维兹遗憾自己对气候学所知不多,否则根据见到的景象,就能推测出大致的温度与季节。一时间,他起了一个顽皮的念头,想要让电脑解决这个问题,不过此时气候根本无关紧要。
包着要的一件事,是电脑又没侦测到科技导致的辐射。他透过望远镜看下去,发现这颗行星并不显得老旧,也没有荒芜的迹象。不断后退的地表都是色调不一的绿地,下过日面没有都会区的迹象,夜面则见不到任何灯光。
这会不会是另一颗充满各种生命,唯独欠缺人类的行星?
于是,他敲了敲另一间寝舱的门。
“宝绮思?”他轻声喊道,接着又敲了一下。
房间里传来一阵沙沙声,以及宝绮思的声音:“什么事?”
“你能不能出来一下?我需要你帮忙。”
“请等一会儿,我现在这个样子不方便见人。”
当她终于现身的时候,模样看来绝不比过去任何一次逊色。可是崔维兹却感到一阵恼怒,因为他根本没必要等这一会儿,她看起来什么样子,对他而言毫无差别。不过他们现在既然已经是朋友,他只好将恼怒的情绪压抑下来。
她面带微笑,以十分愉快的语调说:“我能帮你做什么,崔维兹?”
崔维兹向显像屏幕挥了挥手。“你可以看到,从我们正在通过的地表看来,这个世界百分之百健康,陆地上布满了相当厚实的植群。不过,黑夜地区没有灯光,也没有任何科技性辐射。请仔细倾听,然后告诉我是否有任何动物生命。在某个地点,我想我好像看到一群吃草的动物,但我不敢肯定。或许是我拼命想要看到什么,因而产生一种幻觉。”
于是宝绮思开始“倾听”,至少,她脸上现出了一种特殊的专注神情。“喔,没错——动物生命很丰富。”
“哺乳动物吗?”
“一定是。”
“人类吗?”
现在她似乎更加集中注意力,整整一分钟过去了,然后又过了一分钟,她才终于松弛下来。“我无法分辨得很清楚,每隔一阵子,我似乎就侦测到一丝飘忽的智慧,强度足以代表人类。但它实在太微弱,而且忽隐忽现,或许因为我也拼命想要感测什么,因而产生一种幻觉。你知道……”
她突然陷入沉思,崔维兹催促她道:“怎么样?”
她又说:“事实上,我好像侦测到了别的东西。那并非我熟悉的任何事物,但我不相信它会是别的……”
她开始更聚精会神地“倾听”,整张脸再度绷紧。
“怎么样?”崔维兹又问。
她松了一口气。“除了机器人,我想不出有其他的可能。”
“机器人!”
“是的,而我若能侦测到它们,当然应该也能侦测到人类,可是没有。”
“机器人!”崔维兹皱着眉头着复了一遍。
“是的,”宝绮思说:“而且我还能断定,数量相当庞大。”
43
裴洛拉特听到后,也应了声“机器人!”声调跟崔维兹刚刚几乎一模一样。然后他淡淡一笑,又说:“你对了,葛兰,我不该怀疑你。”
“我不记得你何时怀疑过我,詹诺夫。”
“喔,老友,当时我认为不该表现出来。我只是在想,在我心里头想,离开奥罗拉是个错误,因为在那里,我们有机会遇见一些存活的机器人。可是显然你早就知道,这里有更多的机器人。”
“根本不是这样,詹诺夫,我当初并不知道,我只是想碰碰运气。宝绮思告诉我,根据这些机器人的精神场判断,它们似乎处于正常运作状态,而我觉得若是没有人类照顾和维修,它们不可能处于良好的运作状态。然而,她无法侦察到任何人类的迹象,所以我们仍在继续寻找。”
裴洛拉特若有所思地检视着显像屏幕。“似乎都是森林,对不对?”
“大部分都是森林,不过有几块地区显然是草原。问题是我看不到城市,黑夜地区也不见任何灯光,而且除了热辐射,一直没有其他辐射出现。”
“所以根本没有人类?”
“我很怀疑。宝绮思正在厨舱内设法集中精神。我为这颗行星定出一条本初子午线,也就是说电脑为这颗行星画出了经纬度。宝绮思正握着一个小装置,当她遇到机器人精神活动似乎特别密集的地区——我想对机器人不能用‘神经活动’——或者任何人类思想的微弱讯息,她就会按一下钮。那个装置连到电脑上,电脑可根据经纬度定出位置,然后我们就让它从那些地点中,选取一个适宜的着陆之处。”
裴洛拉特显得有些不安。“让电脑做选择,这是明智的做法吗?”
“有何不可,詹诺夫?它是一台功能很强的电脑。此外,在你自己无从决定的时候,考虑一下电脑的选择,会有什么害处呢?”
袭洛拉特又快活起来。“这话有点道理,葛兰。有些最古老的传说,就捉到了古人将立方体丢到地上来决定事情。”
“哦?那是怎么做的?”
“立方体每一面都刻有不同的决定:做、不做、或许能做、延后等等。立方体落地后,恰巧朝上的一面所刻的宇,就被视为应当遵循的决定。有时他们也用另一种方式,让一个小球在具有许多凹槽的圆板上旋转。每个槽内都写有不同的决定。小球最后停在哪个槽中,就要遵循那个槽内所写的决定。有些神话学家则认为,这类活动其实是种机率游戏,并非用来决定命运,但是在我看来,两者几乎是同一回事。”
“就某方面而言,”崔维兹说:“我们这样选择着陆地点,就是在玩一种机率游戏。”
宝绮思从厨舱中走了出来,刚好听到最后一句话。她说:“不是机率游戏。我按了几次‘可能’,还有一次绝对的‘确定’,我们要去的就是那个确定地点。”
“为什么会是确定呢?”崔维兹问。
“我捕捉到一丝人类的思想,非常肯定,绝对错不了。”
44
此地刚才一定下过雨,因为草地很湿。天上的乌云迅速掠过,显出即将放晴的迹象。
远星号轻轻着陆在一个小树丛旁(为了预防野狗,崔维兹半开玩笑地想),四周看来像是一片牧地。刚才在视野较佳、较宽广的高空,崔维兹好像看到一些果园与田地;而现在,眼前则出现了许多如假包换的草食动物。
不过,附近没有任何建筑物,也没有任何物件是人工的。只有果园中排列整齐的果树,以及将田地画分得整整齐齐的界线,看来像微波发电站一般人工化。
然而这种秤谌的人工化,是不是机器人完成的?没有任何人类参与吗?
崔维兹默默地系上承装武器的皮套,这一次,他确定两种武器都在待发状态,而且都充足了电。突然之间,他接触到宝绮思的目光,随即停止了动作。
她说:“请继续,我认为你绝不会用到,但我上次也这样认为,对不对?”
崔维兹说:“你要不要带武器,詹诺夫?”
裴洛拉特打了一个寒颤。“不,谢了。夹在你和宝绮思之间,你的有形防卫力量加上她的精神防卫力量,使我觉得根本没有危险。我知道躲在你们的庇护下很孬种,不过想到自己不需要使用武力,我感激都还来不及,也就不觉得羞愧了。”
崔维兹说:“我可以了解,但千万别单独行动。如果宝绮思和我分开,你得跟着我们其中一个,不可以由于好奇心作祟,自己跑到别的地方去。”
“你不必担心,崔维兹,”宝绮思说:“我会好好留意。”
崔维兹第一个走出太空艇。外面正吹着轻快的风,雨后的气温带着些微凉意,崔维兹却感到十分宜人。雨前的空气可能又湿又热,一定令人很不舒眼。
他吸了几口气,觉得十分讶异,这个行星的气味很不错。他明白每个行星都具有独特的味道,那些味道总是很陌生,而且通常都不好闻——也许只是因为陌生的关系。陌生的气味就不能令人感到愉快吗?或是他们刚好赶对了季节,又正巧下过一场雨?不论原因为何……
“出来吧,”他叫道:“外面相当舒适。”
裴洛拉特走出来,然后说:“嗯,舒适这个形容诃再恰当不过。你认为这里常年都有这种气味吗?”
“那没什么差别,不到一个小时,我们就会习惯这种香气。鼻中的感受器饱和之后,就什么也闻不到了。”
“真可惜。”裴洛拉特说。
“草地是湿的。”宝绮思似乎有点不以为然。
“这有什么不对?毕竟,盖哑上也会下雨啊!”崔维兹说。此时,一道黄色阳光突然自云缝洒下,阳光想必会越来越强。
“没错,”宝绮思说:“但我们知道何时会下雨,我们有心理准备。”
“太糟了,”崔维兹说:“你们丧失了许多意外的惊奇。”
宝绮思答道:“你说得对,我会尽量不再那么褊狭。”
裴洛拉特向四周望了望,失望地说:“附近似乎什么都没有。”
“只是似乎而已,”宝绮思说:“它们正从小丘的另一侧走来。”然后她望向崔维兹,“你认为我们该迎上去吗?”
崔维兹摇了摇头。“不,我们为了跟它们见面,已经飞越许多秒差距,剩下的路程让它们走完,我们就在这里等着。”
只有宝绮思能感知那组机器人的动向。在她所指方向的小丘顶上突然冒出一个人形,然后是第二个、第三个。
“我相信目前只有这几个。”宝绮思说。
崔维兹好奇地凝视着,虽然他从未见过机器人,却丝毫不怀疑它们的身份。它们拥有粗略的人形,像是印象派的雕塑,不过外表看来并非明显的金属材质。这些机器人表面毫无光泽,给人一种柔软的错觉,彷佛包覆了一层丝绒。
但他怎么知道柔软只是错觉?看着这些以迟钝的步伐慢慢接近的人形,崔维兹突然起了摸摸它们的冲动。假如此地果真是个禁忌世界,从来没有船舰接近过——这一定是事实,因为它的太阳不在银河舆图中——那么远星号与其上的成员,就是这些机器人经验以外的事物。可是它们的反应相当笃定,彷佛正在进行例行公事一般。
崔维兹低声说:“我们在这里,也许能得到银河其他各处得不到的情报。我们可以问它们地球相对这个世界的位置,假如它们知道,就会告诉我们。谁晓得这些东西运作多久、寿命多长了?它们也许会根据自身的记忆回答,想想看,这有多难得。”
“反之,”宝绮思说:“它们也许最近才出厂,因此一无所知。”
“或者也有可能,”裴洛拉特说:“它们虽然知道,却拒绝告诉我们。”
崔维兹说:“我猜想它们不能拒绝,除非它们奉命不准告诉我们。可是在这个行星上,绝不可能有人料到我们要来,谁又会下这种命令呢?”
到了距离他们约三公尺的地方,三个机器人停下来。它们没说什么,也没有进一步的行动。
崔维兹右手按在手铳上,目不转晴地紧盯着机器人,一面对宝绮思说:“你能下能判断它们是否怀有敌意?”
“你应该考虑到一件事实,我对它们的精神运作一点也不熟悉,崔维兹,但我未侦测到类似敌意的情绪。”
崔维兹的右手离开了铳柄,不过仍摆在附近。他举起左手,掌心朝向机器人,希望它们能认出这是代表和平的手势。他缓缓说道:“我向你们致意,我们以朋友的身分造访这个世界。”
中间那个机器人迅速低下头来,像是很勉强地鞠了一躬。在一个乐观者的眼中,或许也会把它视为代表和平的动作,接着它便开始答话。
崔维兹突然拉长了脸,显得极为惊讶。在各个世界沟通无碍的银河中,不会有人想到这么基本的需要也可能出问题。然而,这个机器人说的不是银河标准语,也并非任何相近的语言。事实上,崔维兹连一个字也听不懂。
45
裴洛拉特的讶异秤谌与崔维兹不相上下,伹他显然还带着一分惊喜。
“听来是不是很奇怪?”他说。
崔维兹转头望向他,相当不客气地说:“不是奇怪,根本就是叽哩呱啦。”
裴洛拉特说:“绝不是叽哩呱啦,这也是银河标准语,只不过非常古老。我能听懂几个字,如果写出来的话,我也许可以轻易看懂,真正难解的是发音。”
“那么,它说些什么?”
“我想它在告诉你,它不了解你说什么。”
宝绮思说:“我无法意会它说的话,但我感知到的是迷惑的情绪,这点刚好吻合。前提是,如果我能信任自己对机器人情绪的分析——或者说,如果真有机器人情绪这回事。”
裴洛拉特说了一些话,他说得非常慢,并且显得有些困难。三个机器人动作一致地迅速点了点头。
“那是什么意思?”崔维兹问。
裴洛拉特说:“我说我讲得不好,不过我愿意尝试,请它们多给我一点时间。天哪,老弟,这真是有趣得吓人。”
“真是失望得吓人。”崔维兹喃喃说道。
“你可知道,”裴洛拉特说:“银河中每一颗住人行星,都会发展出风格特殊的语文,所以银河中总共有干万种方言,有时相互间几乎无法沟通,但它们都统一在银河标准语之下。假定这个世界已经孤立了两万年,它的语言可能会和银河其他各处越离越远,逐渐演变成一种完全不同的语言。但事实并非如此,也许因为这是个仰赖机器人的社会,而机器人听得懂的语言,就是设定它们的程式所用的语言。多年以来,这个世界没有着新设定机器人的程式,反过来说,他们中止了语言的演化,我们现在听到的,只是一种非常古老的银河标准语。”
“这是个很好的例子,”崔维兹道:“说明机器人化社会如何被迫停滞不前,进而开始退化。”
“可是,我亲爱的夥伴,”裴洛拉特抗议道:“使一种语言几乎保持不变,并不一定是退化的徵候。这样做其实有不少优点,可让历史文件在数世纪、数千年后仍然保存原有的意义,历史纪录的寿命与权威性会相对增加。在银河其他各处,哈里·谢顿时代的敕令所用的语文,现在已经显得颇有古风了。”
“你懂这种古银河语吗?”
“谈不上懂,葛兰。只是在研究古代神话传说的过程中,我领略到一点窍门。字汇并非全然不同,但是字形变化却不一样,而且有些惯用语我们早已不再使用。此外,正如我刚才所说,现在发音已经完全变了。我可以充当翻译,可是无法做得很好。”
崔维兹心虚地吁了一口气。“即使只有一点点好运,也是聊胜于无。继续吧,詹诺夫。”
裴洛拉特转向机器人,愣了一会儿,又转过头来望着崔维兹。“我该说些什么呢?”
“我们单刀直入,问它们地球在哪里。”
裴洛拉特一个字一个字慢慢说,同时夸张地比画着手势。
那些机器人互相望了望,发出一些声音来,然后中间那个对裴洛拉特说了几句话。裴洛拉特一面回答,一面将双手向两侧伸展,像是在拉扯一条橡皮筋。那个机器人再度回答,它像裴洛拉特一样谨慎,将每个字都说得又慢又清楚。
裴洛拉特对崔维兹说:“我不确定有没有把‘地球’的意思表达清楚,我猜它们认为我是指这颗行星的某个地区,它们说不知道有这样一个地区。”
“它们有没有提到这颗行星的名字,詹诺夫?”
“它们提到的名字,我能做的最接近猜测是‘索拉利’。”
“你在搜集到的传说中听说过吗?”
“没有,就和我从未听过奥罗拉一样。”
“好,问问它们在天上——在群星之间,有没有任何地方叫作地球,你向上指一指。”
经过一番交谈之后,裴洛拉特终于转过身来说:“我能从它们口中套出来的,葛兰,就是天上没有任何的地方。”
宝绮思说:“间问那些机器人它们有多大年纪,或者应该说,它们已经运作多久了。”
“我不知道‘运作’该怎么说。”裴洛拉特摇了摇头,“事实上,我也不确定会不会说‘多大年纪’,我不是个很好的翻译。”
“尽力而为吧,亲爱的裴。”宝绮思说。
又经过几番交谈后,裴洛拉特说:“它们已经运作了二十六年。”
“二十六年,”崔维兹不以为然地喃喃说道:“这些机器人比你大不了多少,宝绮思。”
宝绮思突然以高傲的语气说:“事实上……”
“我知道,你是盖娅,已经好几千岁了。不管怎样,这些机器人本身经验中没有地球,而且在它们的记忆库中,显然没有任何和它们的运作无关的资料,所以它们才会对天文学一无所知。”
裴洛拉特说:“在这颗行星的其他地方,或许还有最早期的机器人。”
“我很怀疑,”崔维兹说:“不过还是问问它们,詹诺夫,如果你想得出该怎么说的话。”
这次的问答是段相当长的对话,最后裴洛拉特终于打住,他的脸涨得通红,带着一副明显受挫的神情。
“葛兰,”他说:“他们想表达的我有一部分听不懂,但是根据我的猜测,较老的机器人都被用来当作劳工,所以什么事也不知道。假使这个机器人是真人,我会说它提到那些较老的机器人时,用的是轻蔑的口气。这三个是管家机器人,它们这么说,而且在被其他机器人取代之前,它们是不会变老的。它们才是真正有知识的一群——这是它们的话,不是我说的。”
“它们知道得也不多,”崔维兹忿忿地说:“至少不知道我们想知道的事。”
“我现在后悔了,”裴洛拉特说:“我们不该这么匆忙地离开奥罗拉。我们若能在那里发现一个存活的机器人,它本身记忆中就会含有地球的资料。而我们一定会发现的,因为我遇见的第一个就一息尚存。”
“只要它们的记忆完奸无缺,詹诺夫,”崔维兹说:“我们随时可以回到那里。若是我们必须回去,不论有没有野狗群,我们都一定会那么做。可是假如这些机器人只有二十几岁,它们的制造者必定就在附近,而那些制造者必定是人类,我这么想。”他又转向宝绮思,“你确定感测到……”
宝绮思却举起一只手制止他再说下去,她的脸上现出紧张而专注的表情。“来了——”她低声说。
崔维兹转头朝小丘望去。从小丘背后出现、大步向他们走来的,是个货真价实的人类身形。他肤色苍白,头发很长但颜色不深,头部两侧的部分微微往外翘。他的面容严肃,不过看来相当年轻,裸露在外的手臂与腿部没有什么肌肉。
三个机器人让出一条路给他,他一直走到它们之间,才停下脚步。
他以清晰而愉悦的声音开始说话,他的用词虽然古老,仍然算是银河标准语,而且不难听懂。
“欢迎,太空来的浪者。”他说:“你们跟我的机器人做什么?”
46
崔维兹未露出欣喜之色,他问了句有点多余的话:“你会说银河标准语?”
那索拉利人带着冷笑说:“有何不可?我又不是哑巴。”
“可是这些呢?”崔维兹朝机器人指了指。
“这些是机器人,它们跟我一样,使用我们的语言。不过我是索拉利人,我常收听远方世界的超空间通讯,因此学缓笏你们说话的方式,我的先人也一样。先人留下了描述这种语言的资料,可是我不断听到新的字汇和语法,每年都有些变化。你们银河殖民者虽然能定居各个世界,却似乎无法将语文褂讪下来。我能了解你们的语言,为何使你感到惊讶?”
“我不应该有这样的反应,”崔维兹说:“我向你道歉。只是刚才跟这些机器人几乎说不通,我没想到在这个世界上还能听到银河标准语。”
崔维兹开始打量这个索拉利人。他穿着一件轻薄的白袍,袍子松垮地披在肩上,双臂处有宽阔的开口。白袍的正面敞开,露出赤裸的胸膛与下方的束腰。他双脚踩着一双轻便的凉鞋,除此之外没有其他装束。
崔维兹突然想到,自己居然看不出这个索拉利人是男是女。此人的胸部无疑属于男性,可是胸膛没有胸毛,薄薄的柬腰下也没有任何隆起。
他转过头来,低声对宝绮思说:“这个可能还是机器人,不过看起来非常像真人……”
“这是个人类的心灵,并非属于机器人的。”宝绮思答道,她的嘴唇几乎没有动。
那索拉利人说:“但你尚未回答我原先的问题,我原谅你的疏失,将它诿诸你的惊讶。现在我再问一遍,你绝不能再不回答,你们跟我的机器人做什么?”
崔维兹说:“我们是旅人,想要打听如何前往我们的目的地。我们请求你的机器人提供有用的资料,可是它们缺乏这方面的知识。”
“你们在寻找什么资料?也许我可以帮你们。”
“我们在寻找地球的位置,你能不能告诉我们?”
那索拉利人扬起眉毛。“我本来还以为,你们最好奇的应该是我。虽然你们没有要求,我还是会提供这方面的资料。我是萨腾·班德,你们如今站在班德属地上,向四面八方望去,极目所见都是我的属地,它还一直延伸到你们目力所不及的远方。我不能说欢迎你们,因为你们来到这里,等于违反了一项承诺。数千年来,你们是第一批踏上索拉利的银河殖民者。结果,你们来到此地的目的,只是为了询问前往另一个世界的捷径。在古老的时代,诸位银河殖民者,你们和你们的太空船一出现就会被摧毁。”
“以这种方式对待并无恶意、又没带来任何危害的客人,实在太野蛮了。”崔维兹小心翼翼地说。
“我同意,不过当一个扩张性社会的成员,来到一个不具侵略性,而且维持静止状态的社会,就算只有初步的接触,也充满潜在的危害。当我们畏惧这种危害时,只要外人一到这里,我们便立即将他们摧毁。既然我们不再有畏惧的理由,你看得出来,我们现在愿意谈一谈。”
崔维兹说:“谢谢你毫无保留地提供这些讯息,但你尚未回答我原先的问题。我再着复一遍,你能不能告诉我们地球的位置?”
“所谓的地球,我想你是指人类以及各种各样动植物——”他一只手优雅地挥动,仿佛指着环绕他们周围的万物。“——的发源地吧。”
“没错,我正是这个意思,先生。”
一个古怪的厌恶神情,突然掠过那索拉利人的脸孔。他说:“如果你必须使用某种称谓,请直接称呼我班德。别用含有任何性别的字眼称呼我,我既非男性亦非女性,我是全性。”
崔维兹点了点头(他猜对了)。“就依你的意思,班德。那么,我们大家的发源地,地球,究竟在哪里?”
班德说:“我不知道,也不想知道。就算我知道,或者假使我找得出来,对你们也没有好处,因为地球已经不能算是一个世界——啊,”他双臂伸展开来,“阳光的感觉真好,我不常到地面上来,太阳若不露脸的话,我是绝不会上来的。刚才太阳还藏在云里的时候,我先派机器人迎接你们,等到云层飘走,我自己才跟了出来。”
“为什么地球已经不能算是一个世界?”崔维兹锲而不舍地追问。他已经有心理准备,打算再听一次有关放射性的传说。
不过班德却不理会这个问题,或者没把它当回事。“说来话长,”他道:“你刚才告诉我,你们到此地来没有任何恶意。”
“完全正确。”
“那么你为何武装前来?”
“只不过是防患未然,我不知道会遭遇到什么。”
“没关系,你的小小武器对我毫无威胁,我不过是感到好奇。有关你们的武器,以及似乎全然依赖武器建立的奇特野蛮历史,我当然早就耳熟能详。即便如此,我从未真正见过任何武器,我可以看看吗?”
崔维兹往后退了一步。“我想恐怕下行,班德。”
班德似乎被逗乐了。“我问你只是出于礼貌,其实我根本不必问。”
它伸出一只手来,崔维兹右侧的手铳立时跳出皮套;而他左侧皮套中的神经鞭也同时向上窜起。崔维兹想抓住那两件武器,却感到双臂无法动弹,就像被强固的弹性绳索缚住一样。裴洛拉特与宝绮思也都企图向前冲,可是显然两人同样被制住了。
班德说:“不要白费力气,你们办不到。”两件武器飞到它的手中,它翻来覆去仔细检视了一番。
“这一件,”它指着手铳说:“似乎是能产生高热的微波束发射器,能使任何含有水分的物体爆炸。另一件比较微妙,我必须承认,乍看之下我看下出它的用途。然而,既然你们并无恶意,又不准备危害这个世界,你们就根本不需要武器。我能将武器中的能量释放出来,而我正在这么做。这样它们就不再具有杀伤力,除非你拿来当棍棒使用,不过充作那种用途,它们未免太不称手了。”
那索拉利人将武器松开,两件武器再度腾空而起,向崔维兹飞去,各自不偏不倚落人皮套中。
崔维兹一感到束缚消失,立刻拔出手铳,不过此举完全多余。扳机松垮垮地下垂,能量显然全被抽光,神经鞭的情形也一样。
他抬头望向班德,班德微笑着说:“你完全束手无策,外星人士。只要我高兴,可以同样轻而易举摧毁你的太空船,当然,还有你。”



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Part Four - Solaria Chapter 10: Robots
41Trevize seemed lost in thought during dinner, and Blissconcentrated on the food.
Pelorat, the only one who seemed anxious to speak, pointed out that ifthe world they were on was Aurora and if it was the first settled world,it ought to be fairly close to Earth.
"It might pay to scour the immediate stellar neighborhood," hesaid. "It would only mean sifting through a few hundred stars atmost."Trevize muttered that hit-and-miss was a last resort and he wanted asmuch information about Earth as possible before attempting to approachit even if he found it. He said no more and Pelorat, clearly squelched,dwindled into silence as well.
After the meal, as Trevize continued to volunteer nothing, Peloratsaid tentatively, "Are we to be staying here, Golan?""Overnight, anyway," said Trevize. "I need to do a bit morethinking.""Is it safe?""Unless there's something worse than dogs about," said Trevize,"we're quite safe here in the ship."Pelorat said, "How long would it take to lift off, if there issomething worse than dogs about?"Trevize said, "The computer is on launch alert. I think we can manageto take off in between two and three minutes. And it will warn us quiteeffectively if anything unexpected takes place, so I suggest we allget some sleep. Tomorrow morning, I'll come to a decision as to thenext move."Easy to say, thought Trevize, as he found himself staring at thedarkness. He was curled up, partly dressed, on the floor of the computerroom. It was quite uncomfortable, but he was sure that his bed would beno more conducive to sleep at this time and here at least he could takeaction at once if the computer sounded an alarm.
Then he heard footsteps and automatically sat up, hitting his headagainst the edge of the desk not hard enough to do damage, buthard enough to make rubbing and grimacing a necessity.
"Janov?" he said in a muffled voice, eyes tearing.
"No. It's Bliss."Trevize reached over the edge of the table with one hand to make atleast semicontact with the computer, and a soft light showed Bliss ina light pink wraparound.
Trevize said, "What is it?""I looked in your bedroom and you weren't there. There was no mistakingyour neuronic activity, however, and I followed it. You were clearlyawake so I walked in.""Yes, but what is it you want?"She sat down against the wall, knees up, and cradled her chin againstthem. She said, "Don't be concerned. I have no designs on what's leftof your virginity.""I don't imagine you do," said Trevize sardonically. "Why aren't youasleep? You need it more than we do.""Believe me," she said in a low, heartfelt tone, "that episode withthe dogs was very draining.""I believe that.""But I had to talk to you when Pel was sleeping.""About what?"Bliss said, "When he told you about the robot, you said that thatchanges everything. What did you mean?"Trevize said, "Don't you see that for yourself? We have three setsof coordinates; three Forbidden Worlds. I want to visit all three tolearn as much as possible about Earth before trying to reach it."He edged a bit closer so that he could speak lower still, then drewaway sharply. He said, "Look, I don't want Janov coming in here lookingfor us. I don't know what he'd think.""It's not likely. He's sleeping and I've encouraged that just a bit. Ifhe stirs, I'll know. Go on. You want to visit all three. What'schanged?""It wasn't part of my plan to waste time on any world needlessly. Ifthis world, Aurora, had been without human occupation for twenty thousandyears, then it is doubtful that any information of value has survived. Idon't want to spend weeks or months scrabbling uselessly about theplanetary surface, fighting off dogs and cats and bulls or whatever elsemay have become wild and dangerous, just on the hope of finding a scrap ofreference material amid the dust, rust, and decay. It may be that on oneor both of the other Forbidden Worlds there may be human beings and intactlibraries. So it was my intention to leave this world at once. We'dbe out in space now, if I had done so, sleeping in perfect security.""But?""But if there are robots still functioning on this world, they mayhave important information that we could use. They would be safer todeal with than human beings would be, since, from what I've heard,they must follow orders and can't harm human beings.""So you've changed your plan and now you're going to spend time onthis world searching for robots.""I don't want to, Bliss. It seems to me that robots can't last twentythousand years without maintenance. Yet since you've seen one witha spark of activity still, it's clear I can't rely on my commonsenseguesses about robots. I mustn't lead out of ignorance. Robots may bemore enduring than I imagine, or they may have a certain capacity forself-maintenance."Bliss said, "Listen to me, Trevize, and please keep thisconfidential.""Confidential?" said Trevize, raising his voice in surprise. "Fromwhom?""Sh! From Pel, of course. Look, you don't have to change yourplans. You were right the first time. There are no functioning robotson this world. I detect nothing.""You detected that one, and one is as good as ""I did not detect that one. It was nonfunctioning; long nonfunctioning.""You said ""I know what I said. Pel thought he saw motion and heard sound. Pelis a romantic. He's spent his working life gathering data, but that is adifficult way of making one's mark in the scholarly world. He would dearlylove to make an important discovery of his own. His finding of the word`Aurora' was legitimate and made him happier than you can imagine. Hewanted desperately to find more."Trevize said, "Are you telling me he wanted to make a discovery sobadly he convinced himself he had come upon a functioning robot whenhe hadn't?""What he came upon was a lump of rust containing no more consciousnessthan the rock against which it rested.""But you supported his story.""I could not bring myself to rob him of his discovery. He means somuch to me.
Trevize stared at her for a full minute; then he said, "Do you mindexplaining why he means so much to you? I want to know. Ireally want to know. To you he must seem an elderly man with nothingromantic about him. He's an Isolate, and you despise Isolates. You'reyoung and beautiful and there must be other parts of Gaia that havethe bodies of vigorous and handsome young men. With them you can havea physical relationship that can resonate through Gaia and bring peaksof ecstasy. So what do you an in Janov?"Bliss looked at Trevize solemnly. "Don't you love him?"Trevize shrugged and said, "I'm fond of him. I suppose you could say,in a nonsexual way, that I love him.""You haven't known him very long, Trevize. Why do you love him,in that nonsexual way of yours?"Trevize found himself smiling without being aware of it. "He's suchan odd fellow. I honestly think that never in his life hashe given a single thought to himself. He was ordered to go along with me,and he went. No objection. He wanted me to go to Trantor, but when I saidI wanted to go to Gaia, he never argued. And now he's come along withme in this search for Earth, though he must know it's dangerous. I feelperfectly confident that if he had to sacrifice his life for me orfor anyone he would, and without repining.""Would you give your life for him, Trevize?""I might, if I didn't have time to think. If I did have time to think,I would hesitate and I might funk it. I'm not as good as heis. And because of that, I have this terrible urge to protect and keephim good. I don't want the Galaxy to teach him not to begood. Do you understand? And I have to protect him from you particularly. I can't bear the thought of you tossing him aside whenwhatever nonsense amuses you now is done with.""Yes, I thought you'd think something like that. Don't you supposeI see in Pel what you see in him and even more so, since I cancontact his mind directly? Do I act as though I want to hurt him? WouldI support his fantasy of having seen a functioning robot, if it weren'tthat I couldn't bear to hurt him? Trevize, I am used to what you wouldcall goodness, for every part of Gaia is ready to be sacrificed for thewhole. We know and understand no other course of action. But we give upnothing in so doing, for each part is the whole, though I don't expectyou to understand that. Pel is something different."Bliss was no longer looking at Trevize. It was as though she weretalking to herself. "He is an Isolate. He is not selfless because he isa part of a greater whole. He is selfless because he is selfless. Doyou understand me? He has all to lose and nothing to gain, and yet heis what he is. He shames me for being what I am without fear of loss,when he is what he is without hope of gain."She looked up at Trevize again now, very solemnly. "Do you know howmuch more I understand about him than you possibly can? And do you thinkI would harm him in any way?"Trevize said, "Bliss, earlier today, you said, `Come, let us befriends,' and all I replied was, `If you wish.' That was grudging ofme, for I was thinking of what you might do to Janov. It is my turn,now. Come, Bliss, let us be friends. You can keep on pointing out theadvantage of Galaxia and I may keep on refusing to accept your arguments,but even so, and despite that, let us be friends." And he held outhis hand.
"Of course, Trevize," she said, and their hands gripped each otherstrongly.
42Trevize grinned quietly to himself. It was an internalgrin, for the line of his mouth didn't budge.
When he had worked with the computer to find the star (if any) of thefirst set of co-ordinates, both Pelorat and Bliss had watched intentlyand had asked questions. Now they stayed in their room and slept or,at any rate, relaxed, and left the job entirely to Trevize.
In a way, it was flattering, for it seemed to Trevize that by now theyhad simply accepted the fact that Trevize knew what he was doing andrequired no supervision or encouragement. For that matter, Trevize hadgained enough experience from the first episode to rely more thoroughlyon the computer and to feel that it needed, if not none, then at leastless supervision.
Another star luminous and unrecorded on the Galactic map-showedup. This second star was more luminous than the star about which Auroracircled, and that made it all the more significant that the star wasunrecorded in the computer.
Trevize marveled at the peculiarities of ancient tradition. Wholecenturies might be telescoped or dropped out of consciousnessaltogether. Entire civilizations might be banished into forgetfulness. Yetout of the midst of these centuries, snatched from those civilizations,might be one or two factual items that would be rememberedundistorted such as these co-ordinates.
He had remarked on this to Pelorat some time before, and Pelorathad at once told him that it was precisely this that made the studyof myths and legends so rewarding. "The trick is," Pelorat had said,"to work out or decide which particular components of a legend representaccurate underlying truth. That isn't easy and different mythologistsare likely to pick different components, depending, usually, on whichhappen to suit their particular interpretations." .
In any case, the star was right where Deniador's co-ordinates,corrected for time, said it would be. Trevize was prepared, at thismoment, to wager a considerable sum that the third star would be inplace as well. And if it was, Trevize was prepared to suspect that thelegend was further correct in stating that there were fifty ForbiddenWorlds altogether (despite the suspiciously even number) and to wonderwhere the other forty-seven might be.
A habitable world, Forbidden World, was found circling thestar and by this time its presence didn't cause even a ripple ofsurprise in Trevize's bosom. He had been absolutely sure it would bethere. He set the Far Star into a slow orbit about it.
The cloud layer was sparse enough to allow a reasonable view of thesurface from space. The world was a watery one, as almost all habitableworlds were. There was an unbroken tropical ocean and two unbrokenpolar oceans.
In one set of middle latitudes, there was a more or less serpentinecontinent encircling the world with bays on either side producing anoccasional narrow isthmus. In the other set of middle latitudes, theland surface was broken into three large parts and each of the threewere thicker north-south than the opposite continent was.
Trevize wished he knew enough climatology to be able to predict,from what he saw, what the temperatures and seasons might be like. Fora moment, he toyed with the idea of having the computer work on theproblem. The trouble was that climate was not the point at issue.
Much more important was that, once again, the computer detected noradiation that might be of technological origin. What his telescope toldhim was that the planet was not moth-eaten and that there were no signs ofdesert. The land moved backward in various shades of green, but there wereno signs of urban areas on the dayside, no lights on the nightside.
Was this another planet filled with every kind of life but human?
He rapped at the door of the other bedroom.
"Bliss?" he called out in a loud whisper, and rapped again.
There was a rustling, and Bliss's voice said, "Yes?""Could you come out here? I need your help ""If you wait just a bit, I'll make myself a bit presentable."When she finally appeared, she looked as presentable as Trevize hadever seen her. He felt a twinge of annoyance at having been made to wait,however, for it made little difference to him what she looked like. Butthey were friends now, and he suppressed the annoyance.
She said with a smile and in a perfectly pleasant tone, "What can Ido for you, Trevize?"Trevize waved at the viewscreen. "As you can see, we're passing overthe surface of what looks like a perfectly healthy world with a quitesolid vegetation cover over its land area. No lights at night, however,and no technological radiation. Please listen and tell me if there's anyanimal life. There was one point at which I thought I could see herdsof grazing animals, but I wasn't sure. It might be a case of seeing whatone desperately wants to see."Bliss "listened." At least, a curiously intent look came across herface. She said, "Oh yes rich in animal life.""Mammalian?""Must be.""Human?"Now she seemed to concentrate harder. A full minute passed, andthen another, and finally she relaxed. "I can't quite tell. Every oncein a while it seemed to me that I detected a whiff of intelligencesufficiently intense to be considered human. But it was so feeble andso occasional that perhaps I, too, was only sensing what I desperatelywanted to sense. You see "She paused in thought, and Trevize nudged her with a "Well?"She said, "The thing is I seem to detect something else. It is notsomething I'm familiar with, but I don't see how it can be anythingbut "Her face tightened again as she began to "listen" with still greaterintensity.
"Well?" said Trevize again.
She relaxed. "I don't see how it can be anything but robots.""Robots!""Yes, and if I detect them, surely I ought to be able to detect humanbeings, too. But I don't.""Robots!" said Trevize again, frowning.
"Yes," said Bliss, "and I should judge, in great numbers."43Pelorat also said "Robots!" in almost exactly Trevize'stone when he was told of them. Then he smiled slightly. "You were right,Golan, and I was wrong to doubt you.""I don't remember your doubting me, Janov.""Oh well, old man, I didn't think I ought to express it. I justthought, in my heart, that it was a mistake to leave Aurora while therewas a chance we might interview some surviving robot. But then it'sclear you knew there would be a richer supply of robots here.""Not at all, Janov. I didn't know . I merely chancedit. Bliss tells me their mental fields seem to imply they are fullyfunctioning, and it seems to me they can't very well be fully functioningwithout human beings about for care and maintenance. However, she can'tspot anything human so we're still looking."Pelorat studied the viewscreen thoughtfully. "It seems to be allforest, doesn't it?""Mostly forest. But there are clear patches that may be grasslands. Thething is that I see no cities, or any lights at night, or anything butthermal radiation at any time.""So no human beings after all?""I wonder. Bliss is in the galley trying to concentrate. I've setup an arbitrary prime meridian for the planet which means that it'sdivided into latitude and longitude in the computer. Bliss has a littledevice which she presses whenever she encounters what seems an unusualconcentration of robotic mental activity I suppose you can't say`neuronic activity' in connection with robots or any whiff ofhuman thought. The device is linked to the computer, which thus getsa fix on all the latitudes and longitudes, and we'll let it make thechoice among them and pick a good place for landing."Pelorat looked uneasy. "Is it wise to leave the matter of choice tothe computer?""Why not, Janov? It's a very competent computer. Besides, when youhave no basis on which to make a choice yourself, where's the harm inat least considering the computer's choice?"Pelorat brightened up. "There's something to that, Golan. Some of theoldest legends include tales of people making choices by tossing cubesto the ground.""Oh? What does that accomplish?""Each face of the cube has some decision onit yes no perhaps postpone and soon. Whichever face happens to come upward on landing would be taken asbearing the advice to be followed. Or they would set a ball rolling abouta slotted disc with different decisions scattered among the slots. Thedecision written on the slot in which the ball ends is to be taken. Somemythologists think such activities represented games of chance ratherthan lotteries, but the two are much the same thing in my opinion.""In a way," said Trevize, "we're playing a game of chance in choosingour place of landing."Bliss emerged from the galley in time to hear the last comment. Shesaid, "No game of chance. I pressed several `maybes' and then onesure-fire `yes,' and it's to the `yes' that we'll be going.""What made it a `yes'?" asked Trevize.
"I caught a whiff of human thought. Definite. Unmistakable."44It had been raining, for the grass was wet. Overhead,the clouds were scudding by and showing signs of breaking up.
The Far Star had come to a gentle rest near a small grove oftrees. (In case of wild dogs, Trevize thought, only partly in jest.) Allabout was what looked like pasture land, and coming down from the greaterheight at which a better and wider view had been possible, Trevize hadseen what looked like orchards and grain fields and this time,an unmistakable view of grazing animals.
There were no structures, however. Nothing artificial, except thatthe regularity of the trees in the orchard and the sharp boundaries thatseparated fields were themselves as artificial as a microwave-receivingpower station would have been.
Could that level of artificiality have been produced by robots,however? Without human beings?
Quietly, Trevize was putting on his holsters. This time, he knew thatboth weapons were in working order and that both were fully charged. Fora moment, he caught Bliss's eye and paused.
She said, "Go ahead. I don't think you'll have any use for them,but I thought as much once before, didn't I?"Trevize said, "Would you like to be armed, Janov?"Pelorat shuddered. "No, thank you. Between you and your physicaldefense, and Bliss and her mental defense, I feel in no danger at all. Isuppose it is cowardly of me to hide in your protective shadows, butI can't feel proper shame when I'm too busy feeling grateful that Ineedn't be in a position of possibly having to use force."Trevize said, "I understand. Just don't go anywhere alone. If Blissand I separate, you stay with one of us and don't dash off somewhereunder the spur of a private curiosity.""You needn't worry, Trevize," said Bliss. "I'll see to that."Trevize stepped out of the ship first. The wind was brisk and justa trifle cool in the aftermath of the rain, but Trevize found thatwelcome. It had probably been uncomfortably warm and humid before therain.
He took in his breath with surprise. The smell of the planet wasdelightful. Every planet had its own odor, he knew, an odor always strangeand usually distasteful perhaps only because it was strange. Mightnot strange be pleasant as well? Or was this the accident of catching theplanet just after the rain at a particular season of the year. Whicheverit was "Come on," he called. "It's quite pleasant out here."Pelorat emerged and said, "Pleasant is definitely the word for it. Doyou suppose it always smells like this?""It doesn't matter. Within the hour, we'll be accustomed to the aroma,and our nasal receptors will be sufficiently saturated, for us to smellnothing.""Pity," said Pelorat.
"The grass is wet," said Bliss, with a shade of disapproval.
"Why not? After all, it rains on Gaia, too!" said Trevize, and as hesaid that a shaft of yellow sunlight reached them momentarily througha small break in the clouds. There would soon be more of it.
"Yes," said Bliss, "but we know when and we're prepared for it.""Too bad," said Trevize; "you lose the thrill of the unexpected."Bliss said, "You're right. I'll try not to be provincial."Pelorat looked about and said, in a disappointed tone, "There seemsto be nothing about.""Only seems to be," said Bliss. "They're approaching from beyondthat rise." She looked toward Trevize. "Do you think we ought to go tomeet them?"Trevize shook his head. "No. We've come to meet them across manyparsecs. Let them walk the rest of the way. We'll wait for them here."Only Bliss could sense the approach until, from the direction of herpointing finger, a figure appeared over the brow of the rise. Then asecond, and a third.
"I believe that is all at the moment," said Bliss.
Trevize watched curiously. Though he had never seen robots, therewas not a particle of doubt in him that that was what they were. Theyhad the schematic and impressionistic shape of human beings and yet werenot obviously metallic in appearance. The robotic surface was dull andgave the illusion of softness, as though it were covered in plush.
But how did he know the softness was an illusion? Trevize felt a suddendesire to feel those figures who were approaching so stolidly. If it weretrue that this was a Forbidden World and that spaceships never approachedit and surely that must be so since the sun was not includedin the Galactic map then the Far Star and the people itcarried must represent something the robots had never experienced. Yetthey were reacting with steady certainty, as though they were workingtheir way through a routine exercise.
Trevize said, in a low voice, "Here we may have information we canget nowhere else in the Galaxy. We could ask them for the location ofEarth with reference to this world, and if they know, they will tellus. Who knows how long these things have functioned and endured? Theymay answer out of personal memory. Think of that.""On the other hand," said Bliss, "they may be recently manufacturedand may know nothing.""Or," said Pelorat, "they may know, but may refuse to tell us."Trevize said, "I suspect they can't refuse unless they've been orderednot to tell us, and why should such orders be issued when surely no oneon this planet could have expected our coming?"At a distance of about three meters, the robots stopped. They saidnothing and made no further movement.
Trevize, his hand on his blaster, said to Bliss, without taking hiseyes from the robot, "Can you tell whether they are hostile?""You'll have to allow for the fact that I have no experience whatsoeverwith their mental workings, Trevize, but I don't detect anything thatseems hostile."Trevize took his right hand away from the butt of the weapon, butkept it near. He raised his left hand, palm toward the robots, in what hehoped would be recognized as a gesture of peace and said, speaking slowly,"I greet you. We come to this world as friends."The central robot of the three ducked his head in a kind of abortivebow that might also have been taken as a gesture of peace by an optimist,and replied.
Trevize's jaw dropped in astonishment. In a world of Galacticcommunication, one did not think of failure in so fundamental aneed. However, the robot did not speak in Galactic Standard or anythingapproaching it. In fact, Trevize could not understand a word.
45Pelorat's surprise was as great as that of Trevize,but there was an obvious element of pleasure in it, too.
"Isn't that strange?" he said.
Trevize turned to him and said, with more than a touch of asperityin his voice, "It's not strange. It's gibberish."Pelorat said, "Not gibberish at all. It's Galactic, but very archaic. Icatch a few words. I could probably understand it easily if it werewritten down. It's the pronunciation that's the real puzzle.""Well, what did it say?""I think it told you it didn't understand what you said."Bliss said, "I can't tell what it said, but what I sense ispuzzlement, which fits. That is, if I can trust my analysis of roboticemotion or if there is such a thing as robotic emotion."Speaking very slowly, and with difficulty, Pelorat said something,and the three robots ducked their head in unison.
"What was that?" said Trevize.
Pelorat said, "I said I couldn't speak well, but I would try. I askedfor a little time. Dear me, old chap, this is fearfully interesting.""Fearfully disappointing," muttered Trevize.
"You see," said Pelorat, "every habitable planet in the Galaxy managesto work out its own variety of Galactic so that there are a milliondialects that are sometimes barely intercomprehensible, but they're allpulled together by the development of Galactic Standard. Assuming thisworld to have been isolated for twenty thousand years, the language wouldordinarily drift so far from that of the rest of the Galaxy as to be anentirely different language. That it isn't may be because the world hasa social system that depends upon robots which can only understand thelanguage as spoken in the fashion in which they were programmed. Ratherthan keep reprogramming, the language remained static and we now havewhat is to us merely a very archaic form of Galactic.""There's an example," said Trevize, "of how a robotized society canbe held static and made, to turn degenerate.""But, my dear fellow," protested Pelorat, "keeping a languagerelatively unchanged is not necessarily a sign of degeneration. There areadvantages to it. Documents preserved for centuries and millennia retaintheir meaning and give greater longevity and authority to historicalrecords. In the rest of the Galaxy, the language of Imperial edicts ofthe time of Hari Seldon already begins to sound quaint.""And do you know this archaic Galactic?""Not to say know , Golan. It's just that in studyingancient myths and legends I've picked up the trick of it. The vocabularyis not entirely different, but it is inflected differently, and thereare idiomatic expressions we don't use any longer and, as I have said,the pronunciation is totally changed. I can act as interpreter, but notas a very good one."Trevize heaved a tremulous sigh. "A small stroke of good fortune isbetter than none. Carry on, Janov."Pelorat turned to the robots, waited a moment, then looked back atTrevize. "What am I supposed to say?""Let's go all the way. Ask them where Earth is."Pelorat said the words one at a time, with exaggerated gestures ofhis hands.
The robots looked at each other and made a few sounds. The middleone then spoke to Pelorat, who replied while moving his hands apart asthough he were stretching a length of rubber. The robot responded byspacing his words as carefully as Pelorat had.
Pelorat said to Trevize, "I'm not sure I'm getting across what I meanby `Earth.' I suspect they think I'm referring to some region on theirplanet and they say they don't know of any such region.""Do they use the name of this planet, Janov?""The closest I can come to what I think they are using as the name is`Solaria.'""Have you ever heard of it in your legends?""No any more than I had ever heard of Aurora.""Well, ask them if there is any place named Earth in thesky among the stars. Point upward."Again an exchange, and finally Pelorat turned and said, "All I canget from them, Golan, is that there are no places in the sky."Bliss said, "Ask those robots how old they are; or rather, how longthey have been functioning.""I don't know how to say `functioning,'" said Pelorat, shaking hishead. In fact, I'm not sure if I can say `how old.' I'm not a very good interpreter.""Do the best you can, Pel dear," said Bliss.
And after several exchanges, Pelorat said, "They've been functioningfor twenty-six years.""Twenty-six years," muttered Trevize in disgust. "They're hardlyolder than you are, Bliss."Bliss said, with sudden pride, "It so happens ""I know. You're Gaia, which is thousands of years old. In anycase, these robots cannot talk about Earth from personal experience,and their memory-banks clearly do not include anything not necessary totheir functioning. So they know nothing about astronomy."Pelorat said, "There may be other robots somewhere on the planet thatare primordial, perhaps.""I doubt it," said Trevize, "but ask them, if you can find the wordsfor it, Janov."This time there was quite a long conversation and Pelorat eventuallybroke it off with a flushed face and a clear air of frustration.
"Golan," he said, "I don't understand part of what they're trying tosay, but I gather that the older robots are used for manual labor anddon't know anything. If this robot were a human, I'd say he spoke ofthe older robots with contempt. These three are house robots, they say,and are not allowed to grow old before being replaced. They're the oneswho really know things their words, not mine.""They don't know much," growled Trevize. "At least of the things wewant to know.""I now regret," said Pelorat, "that we left Aurora so hurriedly. Ifwe had found a robot survivor there, and we surely would have, sincethe very first one I encountered still had a spark of life left in it,they would know of Earth through personal memory.""Provided their memories were intact, Janov," said Trevize. "Wecan always go back there and, if we have to, dog packs or not, wewill. But if these robots are only a couple of decades old,there must be those who manufacture them, and the manufacturers must behuman, I should think." He turned to Bliss. "Are you sure you sensed "But she raised a hand to stop him and there was a strained and intentlook on her face. "Coming now," she said, in a low voice.
Trevize turned his face toward the rise and there, first appearingfrom behind it, and then striding toward them, was the unmistakablefigure of a human being. His complexion was pale and his hair light andlong, standing out slightly from the sides of his head. His face wasgrave but quite young in appearance. His bare arms and legs were notparticularly muscled.
The robots stepped aside for him, and he advanced till he stood intheir midst.
He then spoke in a clear, pleasant voice and his words, although usedarchaically, were in Galactic Standard, and easily understood.
"Greetings, wanderers from space," he said. "What would you withmy robots?"46Trevize did not cover himself with glory. He saidfoolishly, "You speak Galactic?"The Solarian said, with a grim smile, "And why not, since I am notmute?""But these?" Trevize gestured toward the robots.
"These are robots. They speak our language, as I do. But I amSolarian and hear the hyperspatial communications of the worlds beyondso that I have learned your way of speaking, as have my predecessors. Mypredecessors have left descriptions of the language, but I constantlyhear new words and expressions that change with the years, as though youSettlers can settle worlds, but not words. How is it you are surprisedat my understanding of your language?""I should not have been," said Trevize. "I apologize. It was justthat speaking to the robots, I had not thought to hear Galactic onthis world."He studied the Solarian. He was wearing a thin white robe, drapedloosely over his shoulder, with large openings for his arms. It was openin front, exposing a bare chest and loincloth below. Except for a pairof light sandals, he wore nothing else.
It occurred to Trevize that he could not tell whether the Solarianwas male or female. The breasts were male certainly but the chest washairless and the thin loincloth showed no bulge of any kind.
He turned to Bliss and said in a low voice, "This might still be arobot, but very like a human being in "Bliss said, her lips hardly moving, "The mind is that of a human being,not a robot."The Solarian said, "Yet you have not answered my original question. Ishall excuse the failure and put it down to your surprise. I now ask againand you must not fail a second time. What would you with my robots?"Trevize said, "We are travelers who seek information to reach ourdestination. We asked your robots for information that would help us,but they lacked the knowledge.""What is the information you seek? Perhaps I can help you.""We seek the location of Earth. Could you tell us that?"The Solarian's eyebrows lifted. "I would have thought that yourfirst object of curiosity would have been myself. I will supply thatinformation although you have not asked for it. I am Sarton Bander andyou stand upon the Bander estate, which stretches as far as your eye cansee in every direction and far beyond. I cannot say that you are welcomehere, for in coming here, you have violated a trust. You are the firstSettlers to touch down upon Solaria in many thousands of years and, asit turns out, you have come here merely to inquire as to the best wayof reaching another world. In the old days, Settlers, you and your shipwould have been destroyed on sight.""That would be a barbaric way of treating people who mean no harmand offer none," said Trevize cautiously.
"I agree, but when members of an expanding society set foot upon aninoffensive and static one, that mere touch is filled with potentialharm. While we feared that harm, we were ready to destroy those who cameat the instant of their coming. Since we no longer have reason to fear,we are, as you see, ready to talk."Trevize said, "I appreciate the information you have offered us sofreely, and yet you failed to answer the question I did ask. I willrepeat it. Could you tell us the location of the planet Earth?""By Earth, I take it you mean the world on which the human species,and the various species of plants and animals" his hand movedgracefully about as though to indicate all the surroundings aboutthem "originated.""Yes, I do, sir."A queer look of repugnance flitted over the Solarian's face. He said,"Please address me simply as Bander, if you must use a form of address. Donot address me by any word that includes a sign of gender. I am neithermale nor female. I am whole ."Trevize nodded (he had been right). "As you wish, Bander. What, then,is the location of Earth, the world of origin of all of us?"Bander said, "I do not know. Nor do I wish to know. If I did know,or if I could find out, it would do you no good, for Earth no longerexists as a world. Ah," he went on, stretching out his arms. "Thesun feels good. I am not often on the surface, and never when the sun doesnot show itself. My robots were sent to greet you while the sun was yethiding behind the clouds. I followed only when the clouds cleared.""Why is it that Earth no longer exists as a world?" said Trevizeinsistently, steeling himself for the tale of radioactivity onceagain.
Bander, however, ignored the question or, rather, put it to one sidecarelessly. "The story is too long," he said. "You told me that you camewith no intent of harm.""That is correct.""Why then did you come armed?""That is merely a precaution. I did not know what I might meet.""It doesn't matter. Your little weapons represent no danger tome. Yet I am curious. I have, of course, heard much of your arms, andof your curiously barbaric history that seems to depend so entirely uponarms. Even so, I have never actually seen a weapon. May I see yours?"Trevize took a step backward. "I'm afraid not, Bander."Bander seemed amused. "I asked only out of politeness. I need nothave asked at all."It held out its hand and from Trevize's right holster, there emergedhis blaster, while from his left holster, there rose up his neuronicwhip. Trevize snatched at his weapons but felt his arms held back asthough by stiffly elastic bonds. Both Pelorat and Bliss started forwardand it was clear that they were held as well.
Bander said, "Don't bother trying to interfere. You cannot." Theweapons flew to its hands and it looked them over carefully. "This one,"it said, indicating the blaster, "seems to be a microwave beamer thatproduces heat, thus exploding any fluid-containing body. The other ismore subtle, and, I must confess, I do not see at a glance what it isintended to do. However, since you mean no harm and offer no harm, youdon't need arms. I can, and I do, bleed the energy content of the unitsof each weapon. That leaves them harmless unless you use one or the otheras a club, and they would be clumsy indeed if used for that purpose."The Solarian released the weapons and again they drifted throughthe air, this time back toward Trevize. Each settled neatly into itsholster.
Trevize, feeling himself released, pulled out his blaster, but therewas no need to use it. The contact hung loosely, and the energy unithad clearly been totally drained. That was precisely the case with theneuronic whip as well.
He looked up at Bander, who said, smiling, "You are quite helpless,Outworlder. I can as easily, if I so desired, destroy your ship and,of course, you."


回到夏末之初

ZxID:12124946


等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第十一章 地底世界

  47
崔维兹感到全身僵硬,他努力维持正常的呼吸,同时转头望向宝绮思。
她站在那里,手臂护在裴洛拉特腰际,显然相当从容镇定。她微微笑了笑,又以更轻微的动作点了点头。
崔维兹转头再度面对班德。他将宝绮思的反应解释为信心十足的象徵,并万分希望自己的猜测正确无误。他绷着脸说:“你如何做到的,班德?”
班德笑了笑,显然心情非常好。“告诉我,小小外星人士,你相信法术吗?相信魔术吗?”
“不,我们不相信,小小索拉利人。”崔维兹回嘴道。
宝绮思用力拉扯崔维兹的衣袖,悄声道:“别惹他,他很危险。”
“我看得出来。”崔维兹勉强压低声音,“那么,你想想办法。”
宝绮思以几乎听不清楚的音量说:“现在还不行,如果他感到安全无虞,会比较没那么危险。”
对于这些外星人士的简队邡语,班德完全没有理会。它迳自转身离去,那些机器人为它让出一条路。
然后它又转头,懒洋洋地曲着一根手指。“来吧,跟我来,你们三个都来。我将告诉你们一个故事,也许你们不会有兴趣,但我却能自得其乐。”它继续悠闲地往前走。
一时之间,崔维兹仍然站在原地不动,无法确定采取什么行动最好。不过宝绮思已向前走去,裴洛拉特也被她拉走了。最后崔维兹终于移动脚步,否则他将孤独地留在这里与机器人为伴。
宝绮思轻声说:“若是班德那么好心,肯讲一个我们也许没兴趣的故事……”
班德转过身来,神情专注地望着宝绮思,好像这才真正发觉她的存在。“你是雌性的半性人,”它说:“对不对?是较少的那一半?”
“是较小的那一半,班德。”
“那么,其他两位是雄性的半性人喽?”
“他们的确是。”
“你生过孩子没有,雌性?”
“我的名字叫宝绮思,班德,我还没生过孩子。这位是崔维兹,这位是裴。”
“当你该生孩子的时候,这两个雄性哪个会帮你?两个都会?或是都不会?”
“裴会帮我,班德。”
班德将注意力转移到裴洛拉特身上。“你有白头发,我看出来了。”
裴洛拉特说:“我的确有。”
“一直是那种颜色吗?”
“不,班德,年纪大了才会变成这样。”
“那么你年纪多大了?” 准年。”
班德继续向前走(走向一座位于远方的宅邸,崔维兹如此设想),不过脚步放慢了。它说:“我不知道一个银河标准年多长,伹想必跟我们的一年不会相差太多。当你死去的时候,你会有多大年纪,裴?”
“我不敢说,我也许还能再活三十年。”
“那么是八十二年,短命,而且分成两半,真是难以置信。下过我的远祖像你们一样,而且住在地球上——但是后来有些离开了地球,在其他恒星周围建立了新世界,它们是美好的世界,有良好的组织,而且为数众多。”
崔维兹大声道:“不多,只有五十个。”
班德将高傲的目光投向崔维兹,它的心情似乎没有刚才那么好。“崔维兹,那是你的名字?”
“我的全名是葛兰·崔维兹。我说外世界只有五十个,我们的世界却有好几千万。”
“那么,你知道我想跟你们讲的是什么故事?”班德柔声道。
“如果故事是说过去曾有五十个外世界,那么我们已经知道了。”
“我们不仅计算数量,小小半性人,”班德说:“我们还衡量品质。虽然只有五十个,但你们几千万个世界加起来,也抵不上其中任何一个。而索拉利正是第五十个,因此是最优秀的。索拉利遥遥领先其他外世界,正如同其他外世界遥遥领先地球一样。
“唯有我们索拉利人领悟到应如何生活。我们不像动物那样成群结队,而在地球、在其他世界,甚至在其他的外世界却尽皆如此。每一个索拉利人都单独生活,有许多机器人帮助我们,随时能藉电子设备互相会面,可是极少有真正见面的机会。上次我亲眼见到真人,像我现在见到你们这样,已经是许多年前的事。可是,你们只不过是半性人,因此你们的出现,就像母牛或机器人一样,无碍于我的自由。
“然而,以前我们也曾是中性人。当时,不论我们如何增进个人自由;不论我们如何发展独居生活,统领着无数机器人,我们的自由仍不是绝对的。因为,为了产生下一代,必须藉着两个个体的合作。当然,我们可以分别提供精子细胞和卵子细胞,让受精过程和其后的胚胎成长过程,都以人工方式自动进行。至于婴儿,也可在机器人的完善照顾下成长。那些问题都能解决,可是伴随自然受精而来的快乐,半性人却不愿放弃。邪门的情感性依附由此发展,令自由因而消失。你们看不出来这必须改变吗?”
崔维兹说:“不,班德,因为我们衡量自由的标准跟你们下同。”
“那是因为你们根本不知自由为何物。你们一向过着群居生活,你们所知道的生活方式,就是不断被迫屈服于他人意志之下,即使是一些最小的琐事;要不然,就是将时间花在相互斗争上,以迫使他人屈从自己的意志,两者是同样卑贱的行为。这样怎可能还有自由?若是无法随心所欲活着,自由就不存在!自由是不折不扣的随心所欲!
“后来,地球人再度成群结队向外拓展,再度一群群黏成一团在太空打转。其他外世界人虽然不像地球人那般群居,但那只是秤谌上的差异。当时,他们曾企图与地球人抗衡。
“我们索拉利人没有那样做,我们预见了群居注定的失败。我们移居到地底,切断了和银河其他各处所有的联系。我们决心不惜任何代价,也要保持自己的生活方式。我们发展出合适的机器人和各种武器,用来保卫我们看似空无一物的地表;它们的表现也的确可圈可点,来到此地的船舰都被摧毁,终于再也不来了。这颗行星被视为遭到废弃,逐渐被人遗忘,而这正是我们的初衷。
“与此同时,我们在地底世界努力解决自己的问题。我们藉着精密的技术,谨慎调整我们的基因。我们有过多次失败,但也有些成功,而我们善加利用成功的结果。这花了我们几世纪的时间,伹我们终于变成全性人,将雌雄的本质融为一体,能随心所欲获得极致的愉悦。当我们有意生育后代时,随时可以产生受精卵,再交由熟练的机器人照顾。”
“雌雄同体。”裴洛拉特说。
“在你们的语言中如此称呼吗?”班德随口问。“我从来没听过这个名词。”
“雌雄同体会完全阻断演化路径,”崔维兹说:“每个子代都是雌雄同体亲代的基因复制品。”
“得了吧,”班德说:“你把演化当成瞎闯乱撞的程序。我们希望的话,当然可以规画子代的特质,我们能改变或调整基因,有时也的确这样做——我的住处到了,让我们进去吧。天色不早了,太阳已经无法供给充足的热量,我们进入室内会舒服点。”
他们经过一道门,门上没有任何型式的锁,但在他们接近时,那道门马上自动打开,他们穿过之后又立刻关上。室内没有任何窗户,不过他们来到一个洞穴般的房间时,四周的墙壁便开始发光,映得室内一片光明。地板上似乎未铺任何东西,踏上去却令人感到柔软而富有弹性。在房间的四个角落,各站着一个文风不动的机器人。
“那一面墙壁,”班德指着正对门的那堵墙,它看起来与其他三堵墙没有任何不同。“是我的视幕。藉着这个屏幕,整个世界展现在我眼前,但它绝不会限制我的自由,因为没人能强迫我使用。”
崔维兹说:“如果你想藉着屏幕跟某人见面,而他不愿意,你也无法强迫那人使用他的屏幕。”
“强迫?”班德以傲慢的口气说:“别人爱怎么做,就该让‘它’怎么做,只要‘它’也同意我能随心所欲就好——请注意,在互相称呼时,我们不使用带有性别的代名词。”
房间中只有一张椅子,摆在视幕的正前方,班德一屁股坐了下来。
崔维兹四处张望,像是期望会有其他的椅子从地板冒出来似的。“我们也能坐下吗?”他问。
“随你的便。”班德说。
宝绮思面带微笑地坐到地板上,裴洛拉特在她的身旁坐下,崔维兹则倔强地继续站着。
宝绮思说:“告诉我,班德,这个行星上住着多少人类?”
“请说索拉利人,半性人宝绮思。由于半性人自称‘人类’,这个名词已遭到严着污染。我们或许应该自称‘全性人’,不过那样说很拗口,索拉利人是个很贴切的名称。”
“那么,有多少索拉利人住在这个行星上?”
“我不确定,我们从来不做自我统计,大概有一千两百个。”
“整个世界只有一千两百人?”
“足足一千两百。你又在计算数量,而我们却以品质衡量。你也不了解自由的真谛——如果有别的索拉利人,跟我争夺我的任何土地、任何机器人、任何生物或任何一样东西的绝对支配权,那我的自由就受到限制。既然还有其他索拉利人存在,就必须尽可能消除自由的限制,方法是将大家远远隔开,让我们根本没有实质的接触。为了达到这个理想,索拉利只能容纳一千两百个索拉利人。超过这个数目,自由便会明显地受限,造成令人无法忍受的结果。”
“这就代表出生率必须精确统计,并且必须和死亡率刚好平衡。”裴洛拉特突然说。
“当然。拥有稳定人口的其他世界,一定也是这样做的。或许连你们的世界也不例外。”
“既然死亡率可能很小,新生儿一定也很少。”
“正是如此。”
裴洛拉特点了点头,没再问下去。
崔维兹说:“我想知道的是你如何使我的武器腾空飞起,你还没提出解释。”
“我提出法术或魔术作为解释,你拒绝接受吗?”
“我当然拒绝接受,你把我当成什么了?”
“那么,你相不相信能量守恒,以及熵值递增的必然性?”
“这些我相信,可是我不信在两万年内,你们就能改变这些定律,或是做出一微米的修正。”
“我们没有,半性人。下过你想想,室外有阳光,”它又做出那种古怪的优雅手势,彷佛指点着所有的阳光。“也有阴影。在阳光下比在阴影中温暖,因此热量从日照区自发地流到阴影区。”
“你说的我都知道。”崔维兹说。
“但也许你太熟悉了,所以不再多动点脑筋。而在夜晚,索拉利的表面比大气层外的物体温暖,因此热量自发地从行星表面流向外太空。”
“这我也知道。”
“不论白天或夜晚,行星内部的温度总是比行星表面高,因而热量会自发地从内部流向地表。我想这点你也清楚。”
“说这些到底有什么用,班德?”
“热量从高温处流向低温处,根据热力学第二定律,这是必定发生的过程,而热流可用来做功。”
“理论上说来没错,但阳光中的热量很稀薄,行星表面的热量更不用说,从地心逃逸的热量则是三者中最稀薄的。你所能利用的热量,也许还不足举起一小颗鹅卵石。”
“这要看你使用的是什么装置,”班德说:“经过数千年的发展,我们的工具已成为大脑的一部分。”
班德将两侧头发往上拨,露出耳朵后方的头颅,然后把头向左右转了转。它两耳后方各有一个突起,大小与形状都跟鸡蛋的钝端差不多。
“我的大脑有这一部分,你们却没有,这就是索拉利人和你们不同的地方。”
48
崔维兹一再望着宝绮思,她似乎全神贯注在班德身上。崔维兹越来越肯定,自己已经知道这是怎么回事。
纵使班德不断讴歌自由,它仍然感到这个千载难逢的机会无法抗拒。机器人与它的智慧天差地远,无法与它做知性的交谈,它更不可能去找动物聊天。在它的经验中,跟它的索拉利同胞讲话并不愉快,即使它们有时必须沟通,那也一定是迫不得已,绝非主动自愿。
反之,对班德而言,崔维兹、宝绮思与裴洛拉特虽然只是半性人,它也许认为他们就像机器人或山羊一样,不会侵犯它的自由,但他们在智慧上却与自己旗鼓相当(或者几乎差不多)。有机会跟他们交谈,是个太难得的享受,它过去从来未曾体验过。
敝不得,崔维兹想,它会这么乐此不疲。而宝绮思(崔维兹百分之两百肯定)正在鼓励这种倾向,只要极其轻柔地推动班德的心灵,便能怂恿它做出原本就非常想做的事。
宝绮思想必根据一项假设行事,那就是班德如果说得够多,也许就会透露些关于地球的有用讯息。崔维兹认为这样做很有道理,所以即使对现在的话题并非真正好奇,他仍尽力让谈话继续下去。
“这两个大脑叶突有什么功用?”崔维兹问。
班德说:“它们是转换器,藉热流驱动,可将热流转换成机械能。”
“我不相信,热流没有那么多。”
“小小半性人,你不用大脑。若是有很多索拉利人挤在一块,每个都想要使用热流,那么的确没错,热流的供应绝对不够。然而,我拥有超过四万平方公里的土地,这些土地全是我的,是我一个人的。从这么多平方公里的土地上,我可任意收集热流,没别人跟我抢,所以热量足敷使用。你明白了吗?”
“在如此宽广的区域收集热流有那么简单吗?光是集中的过程就得耗费许多能量。”
“或许吧,但我没有留意。我的转换叶突不停地集中热流,因此需要做功时,立刻就能把它做好。当我将你的武器吸到半空中的时候,日照区某团大气放出了过剩的热量,流到阴影区另一团大气中,因此我可以利用太阳能帮助我达到目的。我使用的并非机械或电子装置,而是用神经装置完成这项工作。”它轻轻摸了摸一侧的转换叶突,“它的运作迅速、有效、不间断,而且毫不费力。”
“不可思议。”裴洛拉特喃喃说道。
“没什么不可思议的,”班德说:“想想眼睛和耳朵的精巧,还有它们如何能将少量光子和空气振荡转化成讯息。假如你向来不晓得这些器官,也会觉得它们不可思议。比较之下,转换叶突下会更不可思议,若非你对它们不熟悉,你不会有这种感觉。”
崔维兹说:“这两个不停运作的转换叶突,你拿它们做什么用?”
“用来经营我们的世界,”班德说:“这个广大属地上的每个机器人,都从我身上获取能量,或者应该说,靠自然的热流提供它们能源。无论哪个机器人旋转一个开关,或是砍倒一棵树木,能量都是藉由精神转换供应——我的精神转换。”
“假如你睡着了呢?”
“不论是睡是醒,转换的过秤诩会持续进行,小小半性人。”班德说:“当你睡觉的时候,你的呼吸会中断吗?你的心跳会停止吗?到了晚上,我的机器人仍继续工作,代价仅是使索拉利的内部温度降低一点点。就大尺度而言,这种变化根本难以察觉。而且我们总共只有一千两百个,因此即使把我们所用的能量全部加起来,也几乎不会使太阳的寿命缩短,或是令这个世界内部的热量枯竭。”
“你们是否想过拿它当作武器?”
班德瞪着崔维兹,彷佛他是个特别难以理解的怪物。“我想你这句话,”班德说:“意思是指索拉利或许能根据转换原理制成能量武器,用来对付其他世界?我们为何要那么做?即使我们能击败对方根据别的原理制成的能量武器——这无法绝对肯定——我们又能得到些什么?控制其他的世界吗?我们已经拥有一个理想的世界,为什么还要其他世界?我们想要支配半性人,把他们当作奴工吗?我们有机器人,就这项功能而言,它们比半性人好得多。我们已经有了一切,我们不再需要什么,除了希望不受任何干扰。听我说,我再跟你们讲个故事。”
“说吧。”崔维兹应道。
“两万年前,地球上的半性动物开始成群飞向太空时,我们自己则撤迁到地底。其他外世界决心和来自地球的新殖民者对抗,因此他们对地球发动了攻击。”
“攻击地球?”崔维兹很高兴终于谈到正题,但他尽力掩饰得意之情。
“是的,攻击敌人的中心。就某方面而言,这是个聪明的行动。如果你想杀死一个人,不会攻击他的手指或脚后跟,你会直指心脏要害。而我们的外世界同胞,未能完全免除人类的脾气,竟然引发地球表面的放射性,使它大部分地区再也无法住人。”
“啊,原来如此。”裴洛拉特捏紧拳头迅速挥着,像是想要拍板定案。“我就知道不可能是自然现象,那是怎么造成的?”
“我不知道是怎么造成的,”班德显得毫不在意,“总之,对外世界人也没什么好处,这才是故事的着点。后来银河殖民者继续蜂拥而出,而外世界人——则逐渐灭绝。他们也曾力图一争长短,最后却消失无踪。我们索拉利人则隐居起来,拒绝参加这场竞争,所以我们方能绵延至今。”
“银河殖民者也是。”崔维兹绷着脸说。
“没错,伹不会永远如此。群居动物一定会内斗,一定会你争我夺,而最后终将灭亡。那也许需要好几万年的时间,不过我们可以等。当此事成真后,我们索拉利人,全性、独居、解放的索拉利人,便能将银河据为已有。那时,除了我们自己的世界,我们还可以随意利用或放弃任何一个世界。”
“可是有关地球的事迹,”裴洛拉特不耐烦地弹响手指,“你告诉我们的是传说还是史实?”
“如何分辨两者的差异呢,半性的裴洛拉特?”班德说:“所有的历史多少都可算是传说。”
“但你们的纪录是怎么说的?我能看看这方面的纪录吗,班德?请你了解一件事,神话、传说和太古历史是我的研究领域,我是钻研这些题目的学者,尤其是和地球有关的题目。”
“我只是着复我听来的故事,”班德说:“根本没有这方面的纪录。我们的纪录所记载的,全部是索拉利本身的事务,即使提到其他的世界,也都是有关他们侵犯我们的史实。”
“地球当然侵犯过你们。”裴洛拉特说。
“这点有可能,不过即便如此,那也是很久很久以前的事。而在所有的世界中,我们最厌恶的就是地球,假如我们有过任何地球的纪录,由于我们对它极端的反感,那些纪录肯定也早被销毁了。”
崔维兹咬牙切齿,显得极为懊恼。“被你销毁的?”他问。
班德又将注意力转移到崔维兹身上。“这里没有别人。”
裴洛拉特下肯轻易放弃,继续追问:“你还听说过哪些有关地球的事?”
班德想了一下,然后说:“我年轻的时候,曾经听一个机器人讲过一则故事,内容是说一个地球人来到索拉利,还有个索拉利女子跟他离去,后来她成了银河中的着要人物。不过,依我看,那只不过是个杜撰的故事。”
裴洛拉特咬了一下嘴唇。“你确定吗?”
“这种事我又如何确定?”班德说:“话说回来,一个地球人竟敢前来索拉利,而索拉利竟然容许如此的入侵,这都是令人难以置信的事。更不可能的是,一个索拉利女子竟然自愿离开这个世界——尽避我们那时还是半性人,伹此事仍然不可思议。不过别谈这些了,让我带你们去参观我的家。”
“你的家?”宝绮思四处张望了一下,“我们不是已经在你家了吗?”
“根本还没有,”班德说:“这是一间会客室,一间影像室。必要的时候,我可以在此处会见我的索拉利同胞,他们的影像会出现在墙壁上,或者以三维影像出现在墙壁前。因此,这个房间是集会的场所,不是我家的一部分——跟我来吧。”
它向前走去,并未回头看看他们是否跟来,但是站在角落的四个机器人也开始移动。崔维兹心里明白,他与两位同伴若不自动跟上去,那些机器人就会委婉地押着他们走。
此时裴洛拉特和宝绮思站了起来,崔维兹对宝绮思耳语道:“你是不是让他一直说个不停?”
宝绮思按按他的手,点了点头。“然而,我还是希望能知道它的意图。”她补充道,声音中透着不安的情绪。
49
他们跟着班德向前走。机器人与他们维持着礼貌的距离,伹它们的存在始终带来一种威胁感。
现在他们正穿过一道回廊,崔维兹无精打采地含糊说道:“这个行星上没有能帮我们找到地球的资料,这点我可以肯定,它只有放射性传说的另一个版本。”他耸了耸肩,“我们还得继续前往第三组座标。”
一扇门在他们面前敞开,里面是个小房间。班德说:“来吧,半性人,我要让你们看看我们的生活方式。”
崔维兹细声说:“它藉着炫耀得到幼稚的快乐,我真想好好泼它一盆冷水。”
“别跟它比赛幼稚的秤谌。”宝绮思说。
班德将他们三人迎进那个房间,其中一个机器人也跟进来。班德挥手叫其他机器人退下,自己走了进去,房门立刻在它身后关上。
“这是电梯嘛。”裴洛拉特说,他对自己这项发现感到很高兴。
“的确是,”班德说:“一旦我们移居地底,就未曾真正出去过,我们也不想那样做。不过我发现,偶尔见见阳光挺舒服,但我不喜欢阴天和黑夜的户外,那令人感到虽不在地底又仍像在地底,希望你们了解我的意思。那是一种认知上的失调,大概可以这么说,我发现那是很不舒服的感觉。”
“地球建造过地底建筑,”裴洛拉特说:“他们称那些城市为‘钢穴’。川陀也曾经建造地底建筑,甚至规模更广大,那是旧帝国时代的事——如今,康普隆仍在建造地底建筑。仔细想一想,这还是一种普遍的倾向。”
“半性人群聚在地底建筑中,我们却在地底独自过着逍遥的日子,这两者有天壤之别。”班德说。
崔维兹说:“在端点星上,住宅都建在地表。”
“暴露在风吹日晒雨打中,”班德说:“太原始了。”
电梯只有在启动时产生连裴洛拉特也能察觉到的着力减小靶觉,其后一直没有任何动静。崔维兹正纳闷它会钻到多深的地方,着力便突然转强,然后电梯门打了开来。
眼前是一间宽敞且经过精心装潢的房间,室内微微有些光线,却看下出光源在哪里,好像空气本身会发出微弱的光芒。
班德伸出一根手指,所指的地方光线立刻变强。它又指向另一处,同样的现象随即发生。然后它将左手放在门边的一根粗短圆棍上,右手在空中画了一个大圆,整个房间便大放光明,彷佛沐浴在阳光下,但却没有增加丝毫热度。
崔维兹做了个鬼脸,以不大不小的音量说:“这人是个玩把戏的。”
班德厉声道:“不是‘这人’,是‘这索拉利人’!我不确定‘玩把戏的’这个词是什么意思,不过听你的口气,如果我没猜错,那不会是什么好东西。”
崔维兹说:“它是指一个人并不实在,只会制造些看起来比实际上更炫人耳目的效果。”
班德说:“我承认自己喜爱戏剧效果,但我刚才向你们展示的却不是,那是货真价实的。”
它用右手拍了拍左手按着的那根圆棍。“这个热导棒一直延伸到地底几公里处,在我的属地上,许多合适的地方都有类似的热导棒。我还知道,其他属地上也有这类设备。它们能使地底的热量加速传到地表,并且让那些热量更容易转换成机械功。其实我无需做任何手势,一样可以产生光后,但是那样没有戏剧效果,或者正如你说的,少了点戏耍的味道,而我就喜欢这一套。”
宝绮思说:“这种小小的戏剧效果带来的快乐,你经常有机会体验吗?”
“没有,”班德摇了摇头,“我的机器人对这种事无动于衷,我的索拉利同胞也一样。能遇到半性人,向他们展示这一切,实在是个难得的机会,我真是太——开心了。”
裴洛拉特说:“我们进来的时候,这个房间有着昏暗的光线,它是不是始终维持这样?”
“是的,只需要消耗很少的电力,就像维持机器人的运作一样。我的整个属地随时都在运转,没有实际从事工作的部分则保持空转。”
“这么广大的属地所需的电力,都靠你一个人不断地提供?”
“真正供应电力的是太阳和行星核,我只能算一根导管而已。而且并非整个属地都从事生产,我让大部分地区保持未开发状态,蕴育着各式各样的动物生命。第一,因为这样做可以保护我的边界:第二,因为我发现这有美化的功能。其实,我的田地和工厂不大,它们只需要供应我个人所需,此外再生产一些特产,以便跟他人的特产交换。比如说,我拥有会制造和装设热导棒的机器人,很多索拉利人都仰赖我提供这方面的协助。”
“而你的家呢?”崔维兹问:“范围有多大?”
这个问题一定是问对了,因为班德立刻笑逐颜开。“非常大,我相信是这颗行星上数一数二的,从任何一个方向延伸出去都有好几公里。我所拥有的机器人,在地底照顾我家的,和在数万平方公里地表上的一样多。”
“那么大的住宅,你当然不会全用到吧。”裴洛拉特说。
“可想而知,有些房间我从未进去过,可是这又怎么样?”班德说:“机器人会负责将每间房间保持得一尘不染、通风良好又整齐有序。好了,出来吧。”
他们并未循着原路,而是从另一扇门走出去,随即发现置身另一道回廊中。在他们面前,有一辆停在轨道上的小型敞篷车。
班德示意他们上去,于是大家一个接一个爬进车里。车内的空间有限,不够容纳四个人再加一个机器人,还好裴洛拉特与宝绮思紧挨在一起,为崔维兹腾出位子。班德坐在前面,一副轻松自在的模样,那个机器人坐在它身边。车子开始前进,班德除了偶尔做些流畅的手部动作,看不出它还在进行什么操控。
“事实上,这是个车型机器人。”班德说,带着一副相当冷淡的神情。
他们以稳定的速率前进,每来到一扇门前,门就会自动打开,在他们通过后又立即关上,因此车速完全不必改变。每间房间的装饰都大不相同,好像机器人曾奉命随机设计出各种组合。
他们前方的回廊相当幽暗,身后的情形也完全相同。然而车行所到之处,彷佛都使他们置身没有热度的阳光下。每一扇门打开的时候,室内也会转趋明后,班德每次都会缓慢而优雅地挥动着手。
这趟旅程似乎没有尽头。他们发现车子不时会转个弯,显然这座地底宅邸是向两个维度延伸的。(不,是三个维度,当他们沿着一个浅坡稳稳下滑时,崔维兹心中这么想。)
不论他们经过何处,都能看到许多机器人——十数个、数十个、几百个,都在从容不迫地工作,但崔维兹很难猜出那些工作的性质。此时他们又通过一扇门,来到一间很大的房间,里面有一排排的机器人,全都安静地趴在办公桌前。
裴洛拉特问道:“它们在做什么,班德?”
“在做簿记,”班德说:“整理统计纪录,财务帐目,以及诸如此类的事。我很庆幸不必为这些事情烦恼。这不是个闲置的属地,大约四分之一的耕地用作果园,另外十分之一则用来种植谷类,下过真正令我感到骄傲的还是果园。我们培育世界上品质最佳的水果,而且品种也最多。‘班德桃’就是索拉利桃的代名词,其他索拉利人几乎都懒得种桃子。此外,我们有二十七种不同的苹果,还有——还有许多,那些机器人可以给你详尽的资料。”
“你怎样处理这么多水果?”崔维兹问。“你自己不可能全部吃掉。”
“我作梦也不会这么想,我不是很喜欢吃水果,它们是用来和其他属地做交易的。”
“交易些什么?”
“主要是矿物,我的属地上没有值得一提的矿物。此外,我也换取维持健康生态平衡所需的各种东西。在我的属地上,有各式各样、种类繁多的动植物。”
“全仰赖机器人照顾吧,我猜想。”崔维兹说。
“的确如此,而且它们做得很好。”
“只为了一个索拉利人。”
“只为了这个属地,以及其上的生态标准。我恰好是唯一巡视属地各处的索拉利人——当我选择这么做的时候——但这是我绝对自由的一部分。”
裴洛拉特说:“我想其他的……其他的索拉利人,也会维持一个局部的生态平衡,或许会有位于沼地、山区或海埔的属地。”
班德说:“我想应该有吧。我们有时必须开会讨论世界性事务,这种事总是花掉许多开会时间。”
“你们多久得聚会一次?”崔维兹问。(现在,他们正通过一条又窄又长的甬道,两侧没有任何房间。崔维兹猜想,这条甬道所在的位置,也许难以辟建更宽的建筑,所以被用作两翼之间的联系,而两翼则可向其他方向继续延伸。)
“太频繁了。我几乎每个月都得花些时间在会议上,都是我所属的那些委员会。我的属地上也许没有山脉或沼泽,然而我的果园,我的鱼池,还有我的植物园都是全世界最好的。”
裴洛拉特说:“但是,我亲爱的夥伴——我的意思是班德,我以为你从未离开你的属地,拜访其他的……”
“当然没有。”班德答道,神情显得有些愤怒。
“我只是说以为而已,”裴洛拉特以和缓的语气说:“可是这样的话,你从未做过调查,甚至没见过其他的属地,又怎能确定自己的最好呢?”
“因为,”班德说:“在属地彼此的交易中,从产品的需求量可以看出来。”
崔维兹说:“制造业的情形又如何?”
班德说:“有些属地从事工具和机械的制造。正如我刚才提到的,在我的属地上,我们制造热导棒,不过这些都相当简单。”
“那机器人呢?”
“到处都在制造机器人。有史以来,索拉利设计的机器人,灵巧精妙的秤谌一向领先全银河。”
“直到今天仍旧如此,我猜想。”崔维兹小心翼翼控制着语调,尽量让这句话听来是个直述句,而不是疑问句。
班德说:“今天?今天还有谁跟我们竞争?如今只有索拉利还在制造机器人,你们的世界完全没有。这是我从超波中听来的,如果我的了解没错的话。”
“可是其他的外世界呢?”
“我告诉过你,他们已经不存在了。”
“全都不存在了?”
“除了索拉利,我不相信别处还有活生生的外世界人。”
“那么根本没有人知道地球的位置喽?”
“会有什么人想要知道地球的位置?”
裴洛拉特插嘴道:“我就想知道,这是我的研究领域。”
“那么,”班德说:“你得改行研究别的了。我根本不晓得地球的位置,也没听说过有谁知道,而且我丝毫不关心这码子事。”
车子突然停下来,一时之间,崔维兹以为班德生气了。下过,停车的过程很平稳,而当班德下了车,又挥手叫其他人下车的时候,它看来仍是原来那副得意的模样。
他们进入另一间房间,在班德做了一个手势后,室内的光线仍相当暗淡。这间房通向一个侧廊,侧廊两边是许多小房间,每个小房间里有一两件华丽的容器,有些旁边还摆着另一个物件,看来好像是影片放映机。
“这些是什么,班德?”崔维兹问。
班德说:“祖先灵房,崔维兹。”
50
裴洛拉特很感兴趣地四处张望。“我猜,你们把祖先的骨灰葬在这里?”
“如果你所谓的‘葬’,”班德说:“意思是指埋在土里,你说的就不十分正确。我们现在也许身处地底,伹这里是我的宅邸,所以这些骨灰都在我家里,就像我们现在一样。在我们的语言中,我们说骨灰‘安厝’此地。”它迟疑了一下,然后又说:“‘厝’是‘宅邸’的古字。”
崔维兹四下望了望。“这些都是你的祖先?有多少?”
“将近一百个,”班德答道,毫不掩饰声音中的骄傲。“正确的数目是九十四个。当然,最早的并非真正的索拉利人——不符这个名字如今的定义。他们是半性人,雄性和雌性。那些半性祖先的骨灰坛摆在一起,紧邻他们的下一代。我当然不会走进那些房间,那相当‘蒙人羞’。至少,索拉利语是这么说的,但我不知道你们的银河标准语怎么讲,你们也许没有类似的用语。”
“那些影片呢?”宝绮思说:“我想那些是影片放映机?”
“那些是日志,”班德说:“是有关他们生活的历史:是他们在这块属地上最锺爱的部分,所拍摄的一些影像。这意味着它们并未全然逝去,它们的一部分依旧存在。我的自由包括了能随时加入它们,我能随意观看任何影片的任何部分。”
“可是不会加入那些——蒙人羞的祖先。”
班德将目光栘到别处。“不会,”它坦承不讳,“不过我们的祖先都有这么一部分,这是我们共同的不幸。”
“共同的?那么其他索拉利人也有这种灵房?”崔维兹问。
“喔,是啊,我们全都有。不过要数我的最好、最精致,保存得也最妥当。”
崔维兹问道:“你是不是已经把自己的灵房准备好了?”
“当然,它完全建好了,全部装潢完毕。在我继承这个属地之后,那是我完成的第一件任务。而在我归于尘秃筢——这样讲比较诗意——我的继承人便会开始建造它自己的灵房,那也将是它的第一件任务。”.“你有继承人吗?”
“到时我就有了,但我的寿命还长得很呢。当我必须离开的时候,就会有个成年的继承人,成熟到了足以享受这个属地,它会有发育完成的叶突,以进行能量转换。”
“它应该是你的子嗣吧,我猜想。”
“喔,没错。”
“可是万一,”崔维兹说:“有什么不幸发生呢?我想即使在索拉利,也会发生一些意外和不幸吧。假使一个索拉利人过早归于尘土,没有继承人接掌它的位置,或是继承人尚未成熟到能享有属地,那又会如何呢?”
“那是很罕见的,在我的世系中,那种事只发生过一次。不过,万一遇到这种情况,别忘了还有其他的继承人,等着继承其他的属地。有些继承人已足够成熟,它们的单亲却足够年轻,能够产生另一个后代,并且等得到那个后代长大成人。这种所谓的‘壮/少继承人’之一,就会被指定来继承无主的属地。”
“由谁指定呢?”
“我们有个统领委员会,它的少数功能之一就包括这一项——当有人过早归于尘土时,负责指定一个继承人。当然,整个过秤诩是经由全讯传视进行的。”
裴洛拉特说:“可是我问你,如果索拉利人彼此从不见面,要是某地的某个索拉利人意外——或是在意料之中归于尘土,又怎么会有人知道呢?”
班德说:“当我们其中之一归于尘秃筢,那个属地所有的电力都会消失。如果没有继承人立即接管,这种反常情况终究会被人发现,纠正措施随即会展开。我向你们保证,我们的社会系统运作得非常健全。”
崔维兹说:“我们有没有可能看看你这里的一些影片?”
班德愣了一下,然后说:“我不怪罪你,全然是由于你不知情,你刚才的言语既粗鲁又卑贱。”
“我为这件事道歉,”崔维兹说:“我不想强迫你,不过我们解释过了,我们很想获得有关地球的资料。我忽然想到,你这里早期影片的拍摄年代,应该是在地球变得具有放射性之前,因此影片中可能会提到地球,也许还会有详尽的叙述。我们当然不希望侵犯你的隐私,伹有没有变通的办法,例如由你自己查看这些影片,或者让一个机器人来做,再将其中的相关资讯告诉我们?当然啦,如果你能体谅我们的动机,并且了解我们为了回报你的好意,会尽全力尊着你的感受,你也许会让我们亲自观看这些影片。”
班德以冷峻的语气说:“我猜想你并不知道,你变得越来越无礼了。不过,我们可以立刻结束这个话题,因为我可以告诉你,在我的早期半性祖先旁边,根本没有任何影片。”
“没有?”崔维兹简直失望透了。
“它们曾经存在过,但即使是你们,也该想像得到里面会是什么内容。两个半性人彼此表示兴趣,甚至,”班德清了清喉咙,有些勉强地说:“互相作用。半性人的所有影片,自然在许多代以前就被销毁了。”
“其他索拉利人所收藏的呢?”
“全都销毁了。”
“你能确定吗?”
“不毁掉那些东西的人一定疯了。”
“也许有些索拉利人真疯了,或者多愁善感,或者过于健忘。我想,请你指引我们前往邻近的属地,你该不会反对吧。”
班德瞪着崔维兹,一副讶异的表情。“你以为其他人会像我这般容忍你们?”
“为何不会呢,班德?”
“到时你就知道了。”
“我们必须碰碰运气。”
“不行,崔维兹:不行,你们都不能——听我说。”
后面出现几个机器人,班德皱起了眉头。
“什么事,班德?”崔维兹说,他突然感到下安。
班德说:“我很喜欢跟你们聊天,并且观察你们的——怪异言行。这是空前绝后的经验,我感到很高兴,可是我不能记在日志中,或是将这段记忆保存在影片里面。”
“为什么不能?”
“我讲话给你们听,我听你们讲话,我带你们来我的宅邸,我带你们来祖先灵房,这些都是可耻的行为。”
“因为我们不是索拉利人,对你而言,我们跟这些机器人一样微不足道,不是吗?”
“那只是我替自己找的藉口,别的索拉利人也许不会接受。”
“你有什么顾虑?你有绝对的自由随心所欲,难道不是吗?”
“即使像我们这样,自由也不是真正绝对的。假使我是这个行星上唯一的索拉利人,我就有绝对的自由做些甚至更可耻的事。可是这个世界还有其他索拉利人,因此,虽然我们与理想中的自由极为接近,却未曾真正达到。这个行星上有一千两百个索拉利人,要是让它们知道我做了些什么,它们全都会瞧不起我。”
“没有理由需要让它们知道。”
“那倒是实话,你们刚抵达此地时,我就已经想到了。在我跟你们寻开心的时候,我始终把这件事放在心上——一定不能让其他人知道。”
裴洛拉特说:“如果你的意思是,你担心我们去别的属地寻找地球的资料会为你带来麻烦,这个嘛,我们自然不会提到先拜访过你,这点我们心里有数。”
班德摇了摇头。“我已经冒了太多的风险。我自己当然不会提到这件事,我的机器人也不会提到,它们甚至会奉命不准记住这件事。你们的太空船将被带到地底,我们要进行研究,看看能提供我们什么……”
“慢着,”崔维兹说:“你想检查我们的太空船,你以为我们能在这里等多久?那是不可能的事。”
“绝非不可能”因为你不会再有表达意见的机会。我很遗憾,我也想跟你们多聊一会儿,讨论许多其他的事情,可是你们也看得出来,情况变得越来越危险。”
“下,绝对没有。”崔维兹尽力强调。
“喔,绝对有的,小小半性人。只怕是我该采取行动的时候了,那是我的祖先会在第一时间采取的行动。我必须将你们杀掉,三个通通杀掉。”

回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Chapter 11: Underground
47Trevize felt frozen. Trying to breathe normally, heturned to look at Bliss. She was standing with her arm protectivelyabout Pelorat's waist, and, to all appearances, was quite calm. Shesmiled slightly and, even more slightly, nodded her head.
Trevize turned back to Bander. Having interpreted Bliss's actions assignifying confidence, and hoping with dreadful earnestness that he wascorrect, he said grimly, "How did you do that, Bander?"Bander smiled, obviously in high good humor. "Tell me, littleOutworlders, do you believe in sorcery? In magic?""No, we do not, little Solarian," snapped Trevize.
Bliss tugged at Trevize's sleeve and whispered, "Don't irritatehim. He's dangerous.""I can see he is," said Trevize, keeping his voice low withdifficulty. "You do something, then."Her voice barely heard, Bliss said, "Not yet. He will be less dangerousif he feels secure."Bander paid no attention to the brief whispering among theOutworlders. It moved away from them uncaringly, the robots separatingto let it pass.
Then it looked back and crooked a finger languidly. "Come. Followme. All three of you. I will tell you a story that may not interest you,but that interests me." It continued to walk forward leisurely.
Trevize remained in place for a while, uncertain as to the best courseof action. Bliss walked forward, however, and the pressure of her armled Pelorat forward as well. Eventually, Trevize moved; the alternativewas to be left standing alone with the robots.
Bliss said lightly, "If Bander will be so kind as to tell the storythat may not interest us "Bander turned and looked intently at Bliss as though he were trulyaware of her for the first time. "You are the feminine half-human,"he said, "aren't you? The lesser half?""The smaller half, Bander. Yes.""These other two are masculine half-humans, then?""So they are.""Have you had your child yet, feminine?""My name, Bander, is Bliss. I have not yet had a child. This isTrevize. This is Pel.""And which of these two masculines is to assist you when it is yourtime? Or will it be both? Or neither?""Pel will assist me, Bander."Bander turned his attention to Pelorat. "You have white hair,I see."Pelorat said, "I have.""Was it always that color?""No, Bander, it became so with age.""And how old are you?""I am fifty-two years old, Bander," Pelorat said, then added hastily,"That's Galactic Standard Years."Bander continued to walk (toward the distant mansion, Trevize assumed),but more slowly. It said, "I don't know how long a Galactic StandardYear is, but it can't be very different from our year. And how old willyou be when you die, Pel?""I can't say. I may live thirty more years.""Eighty-two years, then. Short-lived, and divided inhalves. Unbelievable, and yet my distant ancestors were like you andlived on Earth. But some of them left Earth to establish new worldsaround other stars, wonderful worlds, well organized, and many."Trevize said loudly, "Not many. Fifty."Bander turned a lofty eye on Trevize. There seemed less humor in itnow. "Trevize. That's your name.""Golan Trevize in full. I say there were fifty Spacerworlds. Our worlds number in the millions.""Do you know, then, the story that I wish to tell you?" said Bandersoftly.
"If the story is that there were once fifty Spacer worlds, we knowit.""We count not in numbers only, little half-human," said Bander. "Wecount the quality, too. There were fifty, but such a fifty that not allyour millions could make up one of them. And Solaria was the fiftieth and,therefore, the best. Solaria was as far beyond the other Spacer worlds,as they were beyond Earth.
"We of Solaria alone learned how life was to be lived. We did notherd and flock like animals, as they did on Earth, as they did on otherworlds, as they did even on the other Spacer worlds. We lived each alone,with robots to help us, viewing each other electronically as often as wewished, but coming within natural sight of one another only rarely. It ismany years since I have gazed at human beings as I now gaze at you but,then, you are only half-humans and your presence, therefore, does notlimit my freedom any more than a cow would limit it, or a robot.
"Yet we were once half-human, too. No matter how we perfected ourfreedom; no matter how we developed as solitary masters over countlessrobots; the freedom was never absolute. In order to produce young therehad to be two individuals in co-operation. It was possible, of course,to contribute sperm cells and egg cells, to have the fertilization processand the consequent embryonic growth take place artificially in automatedfashion. It was possible for the infant to live adequately under roboticcare. It could all be done, but the half-humans would not give up thepleasure that went with biological impregnation. Perverse emotionalattachments would develop in consequence and freedom vanished. Do yousee that that had to be changed?"Trevize said, "No, Bander, because we do not measure freedom by yourstandards.""That is because you do not know what freedom is. You have never livedbut in swarms, and you know no way of life but to be constantly forced,in even the smallest things, to bend your wills to those of others or,which is equally vile, to spend your days struggling to force others tobend their wills to yours. Where is any possible freedom there? Freedomis nothing if it is not to live as you wish! Exactly as you wish!
"Then came the time when the Earthpeople began to swarm outwardonce more, when their clinging crowds again swirled through space. Theother Spacers, who did not flock as the Earthpeople did, but who flockednevertheless, if to a lesser degree, tried to compete.
"We Solarians did not. We foresaw inevitable failure in swarming. Wemoved underground and broke off all contact with the rest of theGalaxy. We were determined to remain ourselves at all costs. We developedsuitable robots and weapons to protect our apparently empty surface,and they did the job admirably. Ships came and were destroyed, andstopped coming. The planet was considered deserted, and was forgotten,as we hoped it would be.
"And meanwhile, underground, we worked to solve our problems. Weadjusted our genes gingerly, delicately. We had failures, but somesuccesses, and we capitalized on the successes. It took us many centuries,but we finally became whole human beings, incorporating both the masculineand feminine principles in one body, supplying our own complete pleasureat will, and producing, when we wished, fertilized eggs for developmentunder skilled robotic care.""Hermaphrodites," said Pelorat.
"Is that what it is called in your language?" asked Banderindifferently. "I have never heard the word.""Hermaphroditism stops evolution dead in its tracks," saidTrevize. "Each child is the genetic duplicate of its hermaphroditicparent.""Come," said Bander, "you treat evolution as a hit-and-miss affair. Wecan design our children if we wish. We can change and adjust the genesand, on occasion, we do. But we are almost at my dwelling. Letus enter. It grows late in the day. The sun already fails to give itswarmth adequately and we will be more comfortable indoors."They passed through a door that had no locks of any kind butthat opened as they approached and closed behind them as they passedthrough. There were no windows, but as they entered a cavernous room,the walls glowed to luminous life and brightened. The floor seemed bare,but was soft and springy to the touch. In each of the four corners ofthe room, a robot stood motionless.
"That wall," said Bander, pointing to the wall opposite thedoor a wall that seemed no different in any way from the otherthree is my visionscreen. The world opens before me through thatscreen but it in no way limits my freedom for I cannot be compelled touse it."Trevize said, "Nor can you compel another to use his if you wish tosee him through that screen and he does not.""Compel?" said Bander haughtily. "Let another do as it pleases, ifit is but content that I do as I please. Please note that we do not usegendered pronouns in referring to each other."There was one chair in the room, facing the vision-screen, and Bandersat down in it.
Trevize looked about, as though expecting additional chairs to springfrom the floor. "May we sit, too?" he said.
"If you wish," said Bander.
Bliss, smiling, sat down on the floor. Pelorat sat down besideher. Trevize stubbornly continued to stand.
Bliss said, "Tell me, Bander, how many human beings live on thisplanet?""Say Solarians, half-human Bliss. The phrase `human being' iscontaminated by the fact that half-humans call themselves that. Wemight call ourselves whole-humans, but that is clumsy. Solarian is theproper term.""How many Solarians, then, live on this planet?""I am not certain. We do not count ourselves. Perhaps twelvehundred.""Only twelve hundred on the entire world?""Fully twelve hundred. You count in numbers again, while we countin quality. Nor do you understand freedom. If one other Solarianexists to dispute my absolute mastery over any part of my land, overany robot or living thing or object, my freedom is limited. Since otherSolarians exist, the limitation on freedom must be removed as far aspossible by separating them all to the point where contact is virtuallynonexistent. Solaria will hold twelve hundred Solarians under conditionsapproaching the ideal. Add more, and liberty will be palpably limitedso that the result will be unendurable.""That means each child must be counted and must balance deaths,"said Pelorat suddenly.
"Certainly. That must be true of any world with a stablepopulation even yours, perhaps.""And since there are probably few deaths, there must therefore befew children.""Indeed."Pelorat nodded his head and was silent.
Trevize said, "What I want to know is how you made my weapons flythrough the air. You haven't explained that.""I offered you sorcery or magic as an explanation. Do you refuse toaccept that?""Of course I refuse. What do you take me for?""Will you, then, believe in the conservation of energy, and in thenecessary increase of entropy?""That I do. Nor can I believe that even in twenty thousand years youhave changed these laws, or modified them a micrometer.""Nor have we, half-person. But now consider. Outdoors, there issunlight." There was its oddly graceful gesture, as though marking outsunlight all about. "And there is shade. It is warmer in the sunlightthan in the shade, and heat flows spontaneously from the sunlit areainto the shaded area.""You tell me what I know," said Trevize.
"But perhaps you know it so well that you no longer think aboutit. And at night, Solaria's surface is warmer than the objects beyondits atmosphere, so that heat flows spontaneously from the planetarysurface into outer space.""I know that, too.""And day or night, the planetary interior is warmer than the planetarysurface. Heat therefore flows spontaneously from the interior to thesurface. I imagine you know that, too.""And what of all that, Bander?""The flow of heat from hotter to colder, which must take place bythe second law of thermodynamics, can be used to do work.""In theory, yes, but sunlight is dilute, the heat of the planetarysurface is even more dilute, and the rate at which heat escapes from theinterior makes that the most dilute of all. The amount of heat-flow thatcan be harnessed would probably not be enough to lift a pebble.""It depends on the device you use for the purpose," said Bander. "Ourown tool was developed over a period of thousands of years and it isnothing less than a portion of our brain."Bander lifted the hair on either side of its head, exposing thatportion of its skull behind its ears. It turned its head this way andthat, and behind each ear was a bulge the size and shape of the bluntend of a hen's egg.
"That portion of my brain, and its absence in you, is what makes thedifference between a Solarian and you."48Trevize glanced now and then at Bliss's face, whichseemed entirely concentrated on Bander. Trevize had grown quite certainhe knew what was going on.
Bander, despite its paean to freedom, found this unique opportunityirresistible. There was no way it could speak to robots on a basis ofintellectual equality, and certainly not to animals. To speak to itsfellow-Solarians would be, to it, unpleasant, and what communicationthere must be would be forced, and never spontaneous.
As for Trevize, Bliss, and Pelorat, they might be half-human to Bander,and it might regard them as no more an infringement on its liberty thana robot or a goat would be but they were its intellectual equals(or near equals) and the chance to speak to them was a unique luxury ithad never experienced before.
No wonder, Trevize thought, it was indulging itself in this way. AndBliss (Trevize was doubly sure) was encouraging this, just pushingBander's mind ever so gently in order to urge it to do what it very muchwanted to do in any case.
Bliss, presumably, was working on the supposition that if Bander spokeenough, it might tell them something useful concerning Earth. That madesense to Trevize, so that even if he had not been truly curious aboutthe subject under discussion, he would nevertheless have endeavored tocontinue the conversation.
"What do those brain-lobes do?" Trevize asked.
Bander said, "They are transducers. They are activated by the flowof heat and they convert the heat-flow into mechanical energy.""I cannot believe that. The flow of heat is insufficient.""Little half-human, you do not think. If there were many Solarianscrowded together, each trying to make use of the flow of heat, then, yes,the supply would be insufficient. I, however, have over forty thousandsquare kilometers that are mine, mine alone. I can collect heat-flowfrom any quantity of those square kilometers with no one to dispute me,so the quantity is sufficient. Do you see?""Is it that simple to collect heat-flow over a wide area? The mereact of concentration takes a great deal of energy.""Perhaps, but I am not aware of it. My transducer-lobes are constantlyconcentrating heat-flow so that as work is needed, work is done. WhenI drew your weapons into the air, a particular volume of the sunlitatmosphere lost some of its excess heat to a volume of the shaded area,so that I was using solar energy for the purpose. Instead of usingmechanical or electronic devices to bring that about, however, I useda neuronic device." It touched one of the transducer-lobes gently. "Itdoes it quickly, efficiently, constantly and effortlessly.""Unbelievable," muttered Pelorat.
"Not at all unbelievable," said Bander. "Consider the delicacy of theeye and ear, and how they can turn small quantities of photons and airvibrations into information. That would seem unbelievable if you had nevercome across it before. The transducer-lobes are no more unbelievable,and would not be so to you, were they not unfamiliar."Trevize said, "What do you do with these constantly operatingtransducerlobes?""We run our world," said Bander. "Every robot on this vast estateobtains its energy from me; or, rather, from natural heat-flow. Whethera robot is adjusting a contact, or felling a tree, the energy is derivedfrom mental transduction my mental transduction.""And if you are asleep?""The process of transduction continues waking or sleeping, littlehalf-human," said Bander. "Do you cease breathing when you sleep? Doesyour heart stop beating? At night, my robots continue working at the costof cooling Solaria's interior a bit. The change is immeasurably smallon a global scale and there are only twelve hundred of us, so that allthe energy we use does not appreciably shorten our sun's life or drainthe world's internal heat.""Has it occurred to you that you might use it as a weapon?"Bander stared at Trevize as though he were something peculiarlyincomprehensible. "I suppose by that," he said, "you mean that Solariamight confront other worlds with energy weapons based on transduction? Whyshould we? Even if we could beat their energy weapons based on otherprinciples which is anything but certain what would wegain? The control of other worlds? What do we want with other worlds whenwe have an ideal world of our own? Do we want to establish our dominationover half-humans and use them in forced labor? We have our robots thatare far better than half-humans for the purpose. We have everything.
We want nothing except to be left to ourselves. See here I'lltell you another story.""Go ahead," said Trevize.
"Twenty thousand years ago when the half-creatures of Earth began toswarm into space and we ourselves withdrew underground, the other Spacerworlds were determined to oppose the new Earth-settlers. So they struckat Earth.""At Earth," said Trevize, trying to hide his satisfaction over thefact that the subject had come up at last.
"Yes, at the center. A sensible move, in a way. If you wish to killa person, you strike not at a finger or a heel, but at the heart. Andour fellow-Spacers, not too far removed from human beings themselves inpassions, managed to set Earth's surface radioactively aflame, so thatthe world became largely uninhabitable.""Ah, that's what happened," said Pelorat, clenching a fist and movingit rapidly, as though nailing down a thesis. "I knew it could not be anatural phenomenon. How was it done?""I don't know how it was done," said Bander indifferently, "and inany case it did the Spacers no good. That is the point of the story. TheSettlers continued to swarm and the Spacers-died out. They had triedto compete, and vanished. We Solarians retired and refused to compete,and so we are still here.""And so are the Settlers," said Trevize grimly.
"Yes, but not forever. Swarmers must fight, must compete, andeventually must die. That may take tens of thousands of years, but wecan wait. And when it happens, we Solarians, whole, solitary, liberated,will have the Galaxy to ourselves. We can then use, or not use, anyworld we wish to in addition to our own.""But this matter of Earth," said Pelorat, snapping his fingersimpatiently. "Is what you tell us legend or history?""How does one tell the difference, half-Pelorat?" said Bander. "Allhistory is legend, more or less.""But what do your records say? May I see the records on the subject,Bander? Please understand that this matter of myths, legends, andprimeval history is my field. I am a scholar dealing with such mattersand particularly with those matters as related to Earth.""I merely repeat what I have heard," said Bander. "There are no recordson the subject. Our records deal entirely with Solarian affairs and otherworlds are mentioned in them only insofar as they impinge upon us.""Surely, Earth has impinged on you," said Pelorat.
"That may be, but, if so, it was long, long ago, and Earth, of allworlds, was most repulsive to us. If we had any records of Earth, I amsure they were destroyed out of sheer revulsion."Trevize gritted his teeth in chagrin. "By yourselves?" he asked.
Bander turned its attention to Trevize. "There is no one else todestroy them."Pelorat would not let go of the matter. "What else have you heardconcerning Earth?"Bander thought. It said, "When I was young, I heard a tale from arobot about an Earthman who once visited Solaria; about a Solarian womanwho left with him and became an important figure in the Galaxy. That,however, was, in my opinion, an invented tale."Pelorat bit at his lip. "Are you sure?""How can I be sure of anything in such matters?" said Bander. "Still,it passes the bounds of belief that an Earthman would dare come toSolaria, or that Solaria would allow the intrusion. It is even lesslikely that a Solarian woman we were half-humans then, but evenso should voluntarily leave this world. But come, let meshow you my home.""Your home?" said Bliss, looking about. "Are we not in your home?""Not at all," said Bander. "This is an anteroom. It is a viewingroom. In it I see my fellow-Solarians when I must. Their images appearon that wall, or three-dimensionally in the space before the wall. Thisroom is a public assembly, therefore, and not part of my home. Comewith me."It walked on ahead, without turning to see if it were followed, butthe four robots left their corners, and Trevize knew that if he and hiscompanions did not follow spontaneously, the robots would gently coercethem into doing so.
The other two got to their feet and Trevize whispered lightly to Bliss,"Have you been keeping it talking?"Bliss pressed his hand, and nodded. "Just the same, I wish I knewwhat its intentions were," she added, with a note of uneasiness inher voice.
49They followed Bander. The robots remained at a politedistance, but their presence was a constantly felt threat.
They were moving through a corridor, and Trevize mumbledlow-spiritedly, "There's nothing helpful about Earth on this planet. I'msure of it. Just another variation on the radioactivity theme." Heshrugged. "We'll have to go on to the third set of co-ordinates."A door opened before them, revealing a small room. Bander said,"Come, half-humans, I want to show you how we live."Trevize whispered, "It gets infantile pleasure out of display. I'dlove to knock it down.""Don't try to compete in childishness," said Bliss.
Bander ushered all three into the room. One of the robots followedas well. Bander gestured the other robots away and entered itself. Thedoor closed behind it.
"It's an elevator," said Pelorat, with a pleased air of discovery.
"So it is," said Bander. "Once weeeent underground, we nevertruly emerged. Nor would weeeant to, though I find it pleasant tofeel the sunlight on occasion. I dislike clouds or night in the open,however. That gives one the sensation of being underground without trulybeing underground, if you know what I mean. That is cognitive dissonance,after a fashion, and I find it very unpleasant.""Earth built underground," said Pelorat. "The Caves of Steel, theycalled their cities. And Trantor built underground, too, even moreextensively, in the old Imperial days. And Comporellon builds undergroundright now. It is a common tendency, when you come to think of it.""Half-humans swarming underground and weeliving underground in isolatedsplendor are two widely different things," said Bander.
Trevize said, "On Terminus, dwelling places are on the surface.""And exposed to the weather," said Bander. "Very primitive."The elevator, after the initial feeling of lower gravity thathad given away its nature to Pelorat, gave no sensation of motionwhatsoever. Trevize was wondering how far down it would penetrate,when there was a brief feeling of higher gravity and the door opened.
Before them was a large and elaborately furnished room. It was dimlylit, though the source of the light was not apparent. It almost seemedas though the air itself were faintly luminous.
Bander pointed its finger and where it pointed the light grew a bitmore intense. It pointed it elsewhere and the same thing happened. Itplaced its left hand on a stubby rod to one side of the doorway and, withits right hand, made an expansive circular gesture so that the whole roomlit up as though it were in sunlight, but with no sensation of heat.
Trevize grimaced and said, half-aloud, "The man's a charlatan."Bander said sharply. "Not `the man,' but `the Solarian.' I'm notsure what the word `charlatan' means, but if I catch the tone of voice,it is opprobrious."Trevize said, "It means one who is not genuine, who arranges effectsto make what is done seem more impressive than it really is."Bander said, "I admit that I love the dramatic, but what I have shownyou is not an effect. It is real."It tapped the rod on which its left hand was resting. "Thisheat-conducting rod extends several kilometers downward, and there aresimilar rods in many convenient places throughout my estate. I knowthere are similar rods on other estates. These rods increase the rate atwhich heat leaves Solaria's lower regions for the surface and eases itsconversion into work. I do not need the gestures of the hand to producethe light, but it does lend an air of drama or, perhaps, as you point out,a slight touch of the not-genuine, I enjoy that sort of thing."Bliss said, "Do you have much opportunity to experience the pleasureof such little dramatic touches?""No," said Bander, shaking its head. "My robots are not impressedwith such things. Nor would my fellow-Solarians be. This unusual chanceof meeting half-humans and displaying for them is most amusing."Pelorat said, "The light in this room shone dimly when we entered. Doesit shine dimly at all times?""Yes, a small drain of power like keeping the robots working. Myentire estate is always running, and those parts of it not engaged inactive labor are idling.""And you supply the power constantly for all this vast estate?""The sun and the planet's core supply the power. I am merely theconduit. Nor is all the estate productive. I keep most of it as wildernessand well stocked with a variety of animal life; first, because thatprotects my boundaries, and second, because I find esthetic value init. In fact, my fields and factories are small. They need only supply myown needs, plus some specialties to exchange for those of others. I haverobots, for instance, that can manufacture and install the heat-conductingrods at need. Many Solarians depend upon me for that.""And your home?" asked Trevize. "How large is that?"It must have been the right question to ask, for Bander beamed. "Verylarge. One of the largest on the planet, I believe. It goes on forkilometers in every direction. I have as many robots caring for myhome underground, as I have in all the thousands of square kilometersof surface.""You don't live in all of it, surely," said Pelorat.
"It might conceivably be that there are chambers I have never entered,but what of that?" said Bander. "The robots keep every room clean,well ventilated, and in order. But come, step out here."They emerged through a door that was not the one through which theyhad entered and found themselves in another corridor. Before them wasa little topless ground-car that ran on tracks.
Bander motioned them into it, and one by one they clamberedaboard. There was not quite room for all four, plus the robot, but Peloratand Bliss squeezed together tightly to allow room for Trevize. Bandersat in the front with an air of easy comfort, the robot at its side,and the car moved along with no sign of overt manipulation of controlsother than Bander's smooth hand motions now and then.
"This is a car-shaped robot, actually," said Bander, with an air ofnegligent indifference.
They progressed at a stately pace, very smoothly past doors thatopened as they approached, and closed as they receded. The decorationsin each were of widely different kinds as though robots had been orderedto devise combinations at random.
Ahead of them the corridor was gloomy, and behind them as well. Atwhatever point they actually found themselves, however, they were in theequivalent of cool sunlight. The rooms, too, would light as the doorsopened. And each time, Bander moved its hand slowly and gracefully.
There seemed no end to the journey. Now and then they found themselvescurving in a way that made it plain that the underground mansion spreadout in two dimensions. (No, three, thought Trevize, at one point, asthey moved steadily down a shallow declivity.)Wherever they went, there were robots, by thedozens scores hundreds engaged in unhurried work whosenature Trevize could not easily divine. They passed the open door ofone large room in which rows of robots were bent quietly over desks.
Pelorat asked, "What are they doing, Bander?""Bookkeeping," said Bander. "Keeping statistical records, financialaccounts, and all sorts of things that, I am very glad to say, I don'thave to bother with. This isn't just an idle estate. About a quarter ofits growing area is given over to orchards. An additional tenth are grainfields, but it's the orchards that are really my pride. We grow the bestfruit in the world and grow them in the largest number of varieties,too. A Bander peach is the peach on Solaria. Hardly anyone else evenbothers to grow peaches. We have twenty-seven varieties of applesand and so on. The robots could give you full information.""What do you do with all the fruit?" asked Trevize. "You can't eatit all yourself.""I wouldn't dream of it. I'm only moderately fond of fruit. It'straded to the other estates.""Traded for what?""Mineral material mostly. I have no mines worth mentioning on myestates. Then, too, I trade for whatever is required to maintain ahealthy ecological balance. I have a very large variety of plant andanimal life on the estate.""The robots take care of all that, I suppose," said Trevize.
"They do. And very well, too.""All for one Solarian.""All for the estate and its ecological standards. I happen to be theonly Solarian who visits the various parts of the estate when Ichoose but that is part of my absolute freedom."Pelorat said, "I suppose the others the otherSolarians also maintain a local ecological balance and havemarshlands, perhaps, or mountainous areas or seafront estates."Bander said, "I suppose so. Such things occupy us in the conferencesthat world affairs sometimes make necessary.""How often do you have to get together?" asked Trevize. (They weregoing through a rather narrow passageway, quite long, and with no roomson either side. Trevize guessed that it might have been built throughan area that did not easily allow anything wider to be constructed, sothat it served as a connecting link between two wings that could eachspread out more widely.
"Too often. It's a rare month when I don't have to pass some time inconference with one of the committees I am a member of. Still, althoughI may not have mountains or marshlands on my estate, my orchards, myfishponds, and my botanical gardens are the best in the world."Pelorat said, "But, my dear fellow I mean, Bander Iwould assume you have never left your estate and visited those ofothers ""Certainly not ," said Bander, with an air of outrage.
"I said I assumed that," said Pelorat mildly. "But in that case,how can you be certain that yours are best, never having investigated,or even seen the others?""Because," said Bander, "I can tell from the demand for my productsin interestate trade."Trevize said, "What about manufacturing?"Bander said, "There are estates where they manufacture tools andmachinery. As I said, on my estate we make the heat-conducting rods,but those are rather simple.""And robots?""Robots are manufactured here and there. Throughout history,Solaria has led all the Galaxy in the cleverness and subtlety of robotdesign.""Today also, I imagine," said Trevize, carefully having the intonationmake the remark a statement and not a question.
Bander said, "Today? With whom is there to compete today? Only Solariamakes robots nowadays. Your worlds do not, if I interpret what I hearon the hyperwave correctly.""But the other Spacer worlds?""I told you. They no longer exist.""At all?""I don't think there is a Spacer alive anywhere but on Solaria.""Then is there no one who knows the location of Earth?""Why would anyone want to know the location of Earth?"Pelorat broke in, "I want to know. It's my field of study.""Then," said Bander, "you will have to study something else. I knownothing about the location of Earth, nor have I heard of anyone who everdid, nor do I care a sliver of robot-metal about the matter."The car came to a halt, and, for a moment, Trevize thought thatBander was offended. The halt was a smooth one, however, and Bander,getting out of the car, looked its usual amused self as it motioned theothers to get out also.
The lighting in the room they entered was subdued, even after Banderhad brightened it with a gesture. It opened into a side corridor, on bothsides of which were smaller rooms. In each one of the smaller rooms wasone or two ornate vases, sometimes flanked by objects that might havebeen film projectors.
"What is all this, Bander?" asked Trevize.
Bander said, "The ancestral death chambers, Trevize."50Pelorat looked about with interest. "I suppose you havethe ashes of your ancestors interred here?""If you mean by `interred,'" said Bander, "buried in the ground,you are not quite right. We may be underground, but this is my mansion,and the ashes are in it, as we are right now. In our own language wesay that the ashes are `inhoused.'" It hesitated, then said, "`House'
is an archaic word for `mansion.'"Trevize looked about him perfunctorily. "And these are all yourancestors? How many?""Nearly a hundred," said Bander, making no effort to hide the pridein its voice. "Ninety-four, to be exact. Of course, the earliest arenot true Solarians not in the present sense of the word. They werehalf-people, masculine and feminine. Such half-ancestors were placed inadjoining urns by their immediate descendants. I don't go into thoserooms, of course. It's rather `shamiferous.' At least, that's theSolarian word for it; but I don't know your Galactic equivalent. Youmay not have one.""And the films?" asked Bliss. "I take it those are filmprojectors?""Diaries," said Bander, "the history of their lives. Scenes ofthemselves in their favorite parts of the estate. It means they do notdie in every sense. Part of them remains, and it is part of my freedomthat I can join them whenever I choose; I can watch this bit of film orthat, as I please.""But not into the shamiferous ones."Bander's eyes slithered away. "No," it admitted, "but then we allhave that as part of the ancestry. It is a common wretchedness.""Common? Then other Solarians also have these death chambers?" askedTrevize.
"Oh yes, we all do, but mine is the best, the most elaborate, themost perfectly preserved."Trevize said, "Do you have your own death chamber alreadyprepared?""Certainly. It is completely constructed and appointed. That wasdone as my first duty when I inherited the estate. And when I am laid toash to be poetic my successor will go about the constructionof its own as its first duty.""And do you have a successor?""I will have when the time comes. There is as yet ample scope forlife. When I must leave, there will be an adult successor, ripe enoughto enjoy the estate, and well lobed for power-transduction.""It will be your offspring, I imagine.""Oh yes.""But what if," said Trevize, "something untoward takes place? I presumeaccidents and misfortunes take place even on Solaria. What happens if aSolarian is laid to ash prematurely and it has no successor to take itsplace, or at least not one who is ripe enough to enjoy the estate?""That rarely happens. In my line of ancestors, that happened onlyonce. When it does, however, one need only remember that there are othersuccessors waiting for other estates. Some of those are old enough toinherit, and yet have parents who are young enough to produce a seconddescendant and to live on till that second descendant is ripe enough forthe succession. One of these old/young successors, as they are called,would be assigned to the succession of my estate.""Who does the assigning?""We have a ruling board that has this as one of its fewfunctions the assignment of a successor in case of prematureashing. It is all done by holovision, of course."Pelorat said, "But see here, if Solarians never see each other, howwould anyone know that some Solarian somewhere has unexpectedly orexpectedly, for that matter been laid to ash."Bander said, "When one of us is laid to ash, all power at the estateceases. If no successor takes over at once, the abnormal situation iseventually noticed and corrective measures are taken. I assure you thatour social system works smoothly."Trevize said, "Would it be possible to view some of these films youhave here?"Bander froze. Then it said, "It is only your ignorance that excusesyou. What you have said is crude and obscene.""I apologize for that," said Trevize. "I do not wish to intrudeon you, but we've already explained that we are very interested inobtaining information on Earth. It occurs to me that the earliest filmsyou have would date back to a time before Earth was radioactive. Earthmight therefore be mentioned. There might be details given about it. Wecertainly do not wish to intrude on your privacy, but would there be anyway in which you yourself could explore those films, or have a robot doso, perhaps, and then allow any relevant information to be passed on tous? Of course, if you can respect our motives and understand that wewill try our best to respect your feelings in return, you might allowus to do the viewing ourselves."Bander said frigidly, "I imagine you have no way of knowing that youare becoming more and more offensive. However, we can end all this atonce, for I can tell you that there are no films accompanying my earlyhalf-human ancestors.""None?" Trevize's disappointment was heart-felt.
"They existed once. But even you can imagine what might have been onthem. Two half-humans showing interest in each other or, even," Bandercleared its throat, and said, with an effort, "interacting. Naturally,all half-human films were destroyed many generations ago.""What about the records of other Solarians?""All destroyed.""Can you be sure?""It would be mad not to destroy them.""It might be that some Solarians were mad, or sentimental,or forgetful. We presume you will not object to directing us toneighboring estates."Bander looked at Trevize in surprise. "Do you suppose others will beas tolerant of you as I have been?""Why not, Bander?""You'll find they won't be.""It's a chance we'll have to take.""No, Trevize. No, any of you. Listen to me."There were robots in the background, and Bander was frowning.
"What is it, Bander?" said Trevize, suddenly uneasy.
Bander said, "I have enjoyed speaking to all of you, and observingyou in all your strangeness. It was a unique experience, whichI have been delighted with, but I cannot record it in my diary, normemorialize it in film.""Why not?""My speaking to you; my listening to you; my bringing you into mymansion; my bringing you here into the ancestral death chambers; areshameful acts.""We are not Solarians. We matter to you as little as these robots do,do we not?""I excuse the matter to myself in that way. It may not serve as anexcuse to others.""What do you care? You have absolute liberty to do as you choose,don't you?""Even as we are, freedom is not truly absolute. If I were theonly Solarian on the planet, I could do even shameful thingsin absolute freedom. But there are other Solarians on the planet, and,because of that, ideal freedom, though approached, is not actuallyreached. There are twelve hundred Solarians on the planet who woulddespise me if they knew what I had done.""There is no reason they need know about it.""That is true. I have been aware of that since you've arrived. I'vebeen aware of it all this time that I've been amusing myself with you. Theothers must not find out."Pelorat said, "If that means you fear complications as a result ofour visits to other estates in search of information about Earth, why,naturally, we will mention nothing of having visited you first. That isclearly understood."Bander shook its head. "I have taken enough chances. I will not speakof this, of course. My robots will not speak of this, and will even beinstructed not to remember it. Your ship will be taken underground andexplores for what information it can give us ""Wait," said Trevize, "how long do you suppose we can wait here whileyou inspect our ship? That is impossible.""Not at all impossible, for you will have nothing to say about it. Iam sorry. I would like to speak to you longer and to discuss many otherthings with you, but you see the matter grows more dangerous.""No, it does not," said Trevize emphatically.
"Yes, it does, little half-human. I'm afraid the time has come whenI must do what my ancestors would have done at once. I must kill you,all three."

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第十二章 着见天日

 51
崔维兹立刻转头望向宝绮思。她毫无表情,面容紧绷,双眼全神贯注凝视着班德,彷佛忘却了周遭的一切。
裴洛拉特的眼睛张得老大,一副难以置信的模样。
崔维兹不知道宝绮思会(或者能够)做些什么,他勉力击退排山倒海而来的挫败感(并非只是想到死亡,主要是想到尚未发现地球的下落,尚未明白他为何选择盖娅作人类未来的蓝图)。他心中很明白,自己必须尽量拖延时间。
他努力保持声音的平稳与咬字的清晰。“你一直表现得像是个谦恭有礼、风度翩翩的索拉利人,班德。我们闯入你的世界,你丝毫不以为忤,还好心地带我们参观你的属地和宅邸,并且回答我们的问题。如果你现在让我们离去,将更符合你的品格。没人有必要知道我们来过这个世界,而我们也没有理由再回来。我们到这里的动机很单纯,只不过是想要寻找资料而已。”
“你当然会这么说,”班德从容道:“如今,你们的命都是跟我借的。你们进入我们大气层那一瞬间,性命就不再属于自己了。当我和你们进行近距离接触时,我可能会做的——也是应该做的——是立刻将你们杀掉。然后,我该命令专职机器人解剖你们的尸体,看看外星人士的身体能为我提供什么知识。
“伹我没有那么做,我纵容自己的好奇心,屈服在自己随和的天性下。不过现在该适可而止了,我不能再继续下去。事实上,我已经威胁到了索拉利的安全。因为,我如果由于某些弱点,竟然被你们说服,让你们安然离去,你们的同类必会接踵而至,现在你们如何保证都没有用。
“不过,至少我能做到一点,能让你们死得毫无痛苦。我只消将你们的大脑稍微加热,使它们趋于钝化,你们不会感到任何痛苦,只是生命就这样终止。最后,等到解剖研究完毕,我会用瞬间高热将你们化为灰烬,这样一切就结束了。”
崔维兹说:“如果我们非死不可,我不反对迅速而毫无痛苦的死亡。可是我们没有犯任何罪,为什么一定要被处死?”
“你们的到来就是一项罪行。”
“这话根本没道理,我们无法预知这样做是有罪的。”
“什么样的行为构成犯罪,不同的社会有不同的定义。对你们而言,它也许是无理而专断的,但对我们则不然。这里是我们的世界,我们有绝对的权利决定各种事务。你们犯了错,所以必须受死。”
班德仍面带微笑,彷佛只是在愉快地闲聊。它继续说:“你们的品德也没多高尚,能让你们拿来作为申诉的藉口。你有一把手铳,它利用微波束激发致命的高热,功用和我如今的目的相同,可是我能肯定,它所导致的死亡将更残酷、痛苦得多。如果我笨到允许你有行动自由,让你能将手铳从皮套中拔出来,又如果我没把它的能量抽光,你现在会毫不犹豫地用它对付我。”
崔维兹甚至不敢再看宝绮思一眼,生怕班德的注意力转移到她身上。他抱着最后一线希望说:“我求你,就算是发发慈悲,不要这么做。”
班德突然现出冷酷的表情。“我必须先对自己和我的世界仁慈,所以你们都得死。”
它举起一只手,一股黑暗立刻笼罩崔维兹。
52
一时之间,崔维兹感到黑暗令他窒息,他狂乱地想:这就是死亡吗?
彷佛他的思绪激起了回声,他听见一个低微的声音说:“这就是死亡吗?”那是裴洛拉特的声音。
崔维兹试图开口,结果发现没有问题。“何必问呢?”他说,同时大大松了一口气。“你还能发问,光凭这一点,就表示这不是死亡。”
“在一些古老的传说中,死亡之后还有生命。”
“荒谬绝伦。”崔维兹低声道:“宝绮思?你在这里吗,宝绮思?”
没有任何回答。
“宝绮思?宝绮思?”裴洛拉特也唤道。“发生了什么事,葛兰?”
崔维兹说:“班德一定死了。他一死就不能再为他的属地供应电力,所以灯光就熄了。”
“可是怎么会……你是说这是宝绮思干的?”
“我想应该是的,希望她没在过程中受伤。”在这个全然黑暗的地底世界(若不计墙壁中放射性原子偶然的衰变造成的肉眼下可见闪光),他趴在地上,以双手双膝爬行。
然后,他的手摸到一个温热柔软的物体,他来回摸了摸,认出了抓着的是一条腿。那条腿显然太过细小,不可能是班德的。“宝绮思?”
那条腿踢了一下,崔维兹只好将手松开。
他说:“宝绮思?说句话啊!”
“我还活着。”宝绮思的声音传过来,不知为何却变了调。
崔维兹说:“可是你还好吗?”
“不好。”随着这句话,他们周围着新后了起来,但却相当暗淡。墙壁发出微弱的光芒,毫无规律地时明时暗。
班德垮作一团,像是一堆昏暗的杂物。在一侧抱着它的头的,正是宝绮思。
她抬起头望着崔维兹与裴洛拉特。“这个索拉利人死了。”在幽暗的灯光下,她的双颊闪烁着泪水。
崔维兹愣了一愣。“你为什么哭呢?”
“我杀死了一个有思想、有智慧的生命,难道不该哭吗?这并非我的本意。”
崔维兹弯下腰,想扶她站起来,她却将他一把推开。
裴洛拉特过去跪在她身边,柔声道:“拜托,宝绮思,即使是你,也无法让它起死回生。告诉我们发生了什么事。”
她让裴洛拉特把自己扶起来,含糊地说:“班德能做的盖娅也会,盖娅能够利用宇宙间分布不均的能量,仅藉着心灵的力量,将它转换成适当的功。”
“这我早就知道。”崔维兹试图安慰她,却不太清楚该怎么说。“我们在太空中相遇的情形,我还记得很清楚,当时你——或者应该说盖娅——制住我们的太空船。当班德夺走我的武器,又令我动弹不得的时候,我就想到了那件事。它也制伏了你,但是我确信,你若想挣脱是绝没问题的。”
“不对,如果我企图挣脱,那一定会失败。当你们的太空船在我/我们/盖娅的掌握中,”她以悲伤的语调说:“我和盖娅是真正的一体。现在却有超空间的分隔,限制了我/我们/盖娅的效率。此外,盖娅的所作所为,全有赖于齐聚无数大脑而生的力量,然而即使我们的大脑全部加起来,也比不上这个索拉利人的转换叶突。我们无法像它那么巧妙、有效又毫不疲倦地利用能量——你看,我就不能让这些灯光变得更后,我也不知再过多久就会筋疲力尽。而班德即使在睡觉的时候,也能为整个广大的属地供应电力。”
“但你制止了它。”崔维兹说。
“因为它并未察觉我的力量,”宝绮思说:“而且我什么也没做,完全没让我的力量曝光。所以它没有怀疑我,也就没特别注意我。它将精神全部集中在你身上,崔维兹,因为带武器的是你——再次证明你武装自己是明智之举。而我必须等待机会,藉着出其不意、迅雷不及掩耳的一击制服班德。当它即将杀害我们,当它全副心神集中在那个行动以及你身上的时候,我就有了出手的机会。”
“那一击相当漂后。”
“这么残酷的话你怎么说得出口,崔维兹?我的本意只是制止它,只希望阻绝它的转换器。我的打算是,当它想要毁灭我们的时候将会发现它不但办不到,周围的照明还会突然熄灭。在它惊讶不已的那一瞬间,我就收紧我的掌握,使它进入长时间的正常睡眠状态,再将它的转换器松开。这样电力可以维持不断,我们便能逃出这座宅邸,返回太空船,尽速离开这颗行星。我希望做到的是,当班德终于醒来时,会忘记见到我们之后发生的一切。如果不必杀生就能办到,盖娅绝对不会滥杀无辜。”
“哪里出了差错呢,宝绮思?”裴洛拉特柔声问道。
“我从来没接触过像转换叶突这样的东西,我没有时间详加研究,了解它的构造。我只能猛力展开我的阻绝行动,可是显然做得不正确。受到阻绝的并非叶突的能量入口,而是能量的出口。在一般情况下,能量源源不绝迅速灌人叶突,大脑则以相同的速率排出能量,以保护本身不至受损。可是,一旦出口被我阻绝,能量马上累积在叶突中,在极短的时间内,大脑的温度遽然升高,使脑中的蛋白质急速钝化,然后它就死了。当灯光尽数熄灭时、我立即收回阻绝的力量,但是那已经太晚了。”
“我看不出除了这样做之外,你还能有什么办法,亲爱的。”裴洛拉特说。
“想到我竟然杀了人,怎么讲都无法安慰我。”
“班德眼看就要杀掉我们。”崔维兹说。
“因此我们要制止它,而不是杀害它。”
崔维兹犹豫了一下,他不希望表现出不耐烦的情绪,因为他实在不愿惹宝绮思生气,或是让她更心烦。毕竟,在这个充满无比敌意的世界中,她是他们唯一的防卫武器。
他说:“宝绮思,别再遗憾班德的死亡,现在我们该考虑别的了。由于它的死,这个属地所有的电力已经消失,其他索拉利人发现这点只是迟早的问题——也许不会迟只会早。它们将不得不展开调查,假如几个人联手攻击我们,我认为你根本无法抵御。而且,正如你自己承认的,你现在勉强供应的有限电力,将无法持续太久。所以说,我们的当务之急是赶快返回地面,回到我们的太空船里,一刻也耽误不得。”
“可是,葛兰,”裴洛拉特说:“我们该怎么做?我们走了好几公里弯弯曲曲的路,我猜这下面一定跟迷宫差不多。就我个人而言,我对如何回到地表毫无概念,我的方向感一向很差。”
崔维兹四下看了看,明白裴洛拉特说的完全正确。他说:“我猜通向地表的出口应该很多,我们不一定要找到原来那个。”
“可是出口的位置我们一个也不知道,又要从何找起呢?”
崔维兹又转向宝绮思。“你用精神力量,能否侦测到任何有助我们找到出路的线索?”
宝绮思说:“这个属地的机器人都停摆了。在我们正上方,我可以侦测到一息微弱的次智慧生命,但这只能说明地表在正上方,这点我们早就知道。”
“好吧,那么,”崔维兹说:“我们只好自己寻找出口。”
“瞎闯乱撞?”裴洛拉特被这个提议吓了一跳,“我们永远不会成功。”
“或许可以,詹诺夫。”崔维兹说:“如果我们动手找,不论机会多小,总有逃出去的机会,否则我们只好待在这里,永远别想逃出去了。来吧,一线希望总比毫无希望强。”
“等等,”宝绮思说:“我的确侦测到了一点东西。”
“什么东西?”崔维兹问。
“一个心灵。”
“有智慧吗?”
“有,可是智慧有限,我想。不过,我感到最清楚的,却是另外一种讯息。”
“是什么?”崔维兹再度压制住不耐烦的情绪。
“恐惧!无法忍受的恐惧!”宝绮思细声道。
53
崔维兹愁眉苦脸地四下张望。他知道刚才是从哪里进来的,但他不会因此产生幻想,认为他们有可能原路折回。毕竟,他对那些拐弯抹角的道路未曾留心。谁想得到他们竟会落到这个地步,不得不自求多福独自折返,只有明灭不定的幽暗光芒为他们指路。
他说:“你认为自己有办法启动那辆车吗,宝绮思?”
宝绮思说:“我确定可以,崔维兹,但那并不表示我会驾驶。”
裴洛拉特说:“我想班德是靠精神力量驾驶的,车子在行驶的时候,我没看到它碰过任何东西。”
宝绮思温柔地说:“没错,它用的是精神力量,裴,可是要如何使用精神力量呢?你当然会说是藉着操纵装置,、这点绝对没错,伹我若不熟悉操纵装置的使用方法,就根本没有任何帮助,对不对?”
“你好歹试一试。”崔维兹说。
“如果我去试,必须将全副心神放在它上面,这样一来,我怀疑自己是否还能维持照明的灯光。即使我学缓笏如何操纵,在黑暗中这辆车子也帮不上什么忙。”
“我想,那我们必须徒步游荡了?”
“恐怕就是如此。”
崔维兹凝视着前方,他们周围笼罩着幽暗的光芒,此外尽皆是厚实沉着的黑暗。他什么也看不见,什么也听不到。
他说:“宝绮思,你还能感受到那个受惊的心灵吗?”
“是的,还可以。”
“你能不能分辨它在哪里?能不能带领我们到那里去?”
“精神感应是直线行进的,几乎不会被普通物质折射,所以我能知道它来自哪个方向。”
她指着黑漆漆的墙壁,继续说:“但我们不能穿墙而过,最好的办法是沿着回廊走,一路选择感应越来越强的方向。简单地说,我们得玩一玩‘跟着感觉走’的游戏。”
“那么我们现在就开始吧。”
裴洛拉特却踌躇不前。“慢着,葛兰,我们真想找到那个东西吗,不论它是什么?假如它感到恐惧,或许我们也会有恐惧的理由。”
崔维兹不耐烦地摇了摇头。“我们毫无选择余地,詹诺夫。不论它是否感到恐惧,它总是个心灵,它可能会愿意——或者我们能叫它指点我们回到地表。”
“而我们就让班德躺在这里?”裴洛拉特语带不安地说。
崔维兹抓住他的手肘。“来吧,詹诺夫,这点我们也没有选择。终究会有某个索拉利人着新启动这个地方,然后某个机器人会发现班德,为它料理善后——我希望是在我们安然离去后。”
他让宝绮思在前面带路,不论走到哪里,她身边的光芒总是最后。在每个门口,以及回廊的每个岔路,她都会停下脚步,试图感知那股恐惧来自何方。有时她会在走进一道门或绕过某个弯路后,又折返着新尝试另一条路径。崔维兹只能袖手旁观,一点也帮不上忙。
每当宝绮思下定决心,坚决地朝某个方向前进时,她前方的灯光便缓罅起来。崔维兹注意到,现在灯光似乎较为明后——可能由于他的眼睛适应了昏暗的环境,也可能是宝绮思学会如何更有效地转换能量。有一次遇到一根那种插入地底的金属棒,她便将手放在上面,灯光的后度立时显着增强。她点了点头,好像感到十分满意。
沿途未见到任何熟悉的事物,因此几乎可以肯定,他们现在走过的地方,是这个曲折迂回的地底宅邸另外一部分,他们进来的时候未曾经过这里。
崔维兹一路注意观察,想要寻找陡然上升的回廊,有时又将注意力转向屋顶,试图找出任何活门的痕迹。结果他一直没有任何发现,那受惊的心灵仍是他们唯一的希望。
他们走在寂静中,唯一的声音是自己的脚步声;走在黑暗里,唯一的光线紧紧包围他们身边;走在死亡的幽谷内,唯一的活物是他们自己。他们偶尔会发现一两个蒙胧的机器人身躯,在昏暗中或立或坐,全都一动不动。有一次,他们看到一个侧卧的机器人,四肢摆出一种古怪的僵凝姿势。当所有的电力消失时,崔维兹想,它一定处于某种不平衡状态,是以立刻倒了下来。不论班德是死是活,都无法影响着力的作用。也许在班德广大的属地各个角落,所有的机器人皆已停摆,或立或卧僵在原地,而在属地的边界,这种情形一定很快会被人发现。
不过或许不会,他又突然这么想。当索拉利的一份子即将由于衰老而死亡时,索拉利人应该全都知道,整个世界都会有所警觉,并且预先做好准备。然而,班德正处于盛年,它现在突然暴毙,根本不可能有任何预兆。谁会知道呢?谁会预期这种结果?谁又会期待整个属地停摆?
不对(崔维兹将乐观与自我安慰抛在脑后,那会引诱自己变得太过自信,实在太危险了),班德属地所有的活动都已停止,索拉利人一定会注意到,然后缓螈即采取行动。它们都对继承属地有极大的兴趣,不会对他人的死亡置之不理。
裴洛拉特满面愁容,喃喃说道:“通风系统停止了。像这种位于地底的场所,一定要保持通风良好,当初有班德供应电力,但现在它已不再运转。”
“没关系,詹诺夫。”崔维兹说:“在这个空旷的地底世界,还有足够的空气让我们活好几年。”
“我还是闷得慌,是心理上的难过。”
“拜托,詹诺夫,别染上了幽闭恐惧症——宝绮思,我们接近些了吗?”
“近多了,崔维兹。”她道:“感觉变强许多,我对它的位置也更清楚了。”
她迈出的脚步更为坚定,在需要选择方向的地点,也下再那么犹豫。
“那里!那里!”她说:“我强烈感觉到了。”
崔维兹不以为然地说:“现在就连我也听得到了。”
三个人停下脚步,自然而然屏住了气息。他们听到了一阵低低的悲鸣声,还夹杂着气喘吁吁的啜泣。
他们循声走进一个大房间,当灯光后起后,他们看到里面满是色彩缤纷的陈设,跟原先所见的各个房间完全不同。
位于房间中央的是个机器人,它微弯着腰,伸出双臂,像是正准备做个亲昵的动作。不过,当然,它僵在那里一动不动。
柄器人身后传来一阵衣裳拍动的声音。一只充满恐惧、睁得圆圆的眼睛从一侧探出来,那种令人心碎的啜泣声一直不断。
崔维兹冲到机器人后面。只听得一声尖叫,一个小身形从另一侧冒出来,猛然摔倒,躺在地上用手蒙住眼睛,两腿向四面八方猛踢,彷佛要逐退来自各方的威胁,同时继续不停地尖叫,尖叫——
“是个孩子!”宝绮思说。这点显然毋庸质疑。
54
崔维兹向后退了几步,感到十分不解。一个孩子在这里做什么?班德对自己绝对的孤独多么自傲,而且还极力强调这点。
面对令人不解的事,裴洛拉特比较不会诉诸理性分析。他立刻想到答案、脱口便说:“我想这就是继承人。”
“是班德的孩子,”宝绮思表示同意,“可是太小了。我想它无法成为继承人,索拉利人得另外找人继承。”
她凝视着这个孩子,但并非目不转晴地瞪着它,而是用一种轻柔的、带有催眠作用的目光。那孩于果然渐渐静下来,睁开双眼,回望着宝绮思,原本的叫喊已经收敛,变作偶尔一下轻声的抽噎。
宝绮思发出一些具有安抚作用的声音,虽然断断续续没有什么意义,不过她的目的只是要加强镇定效果。她仿佛在用精神指尖,轻抚那孩子陌生的心灵,设法抚平其中紊乱不堪的情绪。
那孩子慢慢爬起来,目光一直没离开宝绮思。它摇摇蔽晃地站了一会儿,突然冲向那个既无动作又没声音的机器人。它紧抱着机器人粗壮的大腿,仿佛渴望得到一点安全感。
崔维兹说:“我猜那个机器人是它的——保母,或者是管理员。我猜索拉利人无法照顾另一个索拉利人,甚至无法照顾自己亲生的孩子。”
裴洛拉特说:“而我猜这孩子也是雌雄同体。”
“一定是。”崔维兹说。
宝绮思的心思仍全放在那孩子身上。她慢慢向它走去,双手平举,手掌朝向自己,仿佛强调她没有抓住它的意图。那孩子现在不哭了,看到宝绮思走过来,它把机器人抱得更紧。
宝绮思说:“来,孩子——温暖,孩子——柔软,温暖,舒适,安全,来,孩子——安全——安全。”
她停了下来,压低声音,头也不回地说:“裴,用它的语言跟它讲。告诉它我们都是机器人,因为这里停电,所以我们来照顾它。”
“机器人!”裴洛拉特吓了一跳。
“我们必须这样自我介绍,它不怕机器人,但它从没见过人类,也许甚至无法想像人类是什么。”
裴洛拉特说:“我不知道能否想出正确的说法,也不知道‘机器人’的古语是什么。”
“那就说‘机器人’吧,裴。如果不管用,就改说‘铁做的东西’,反正尽量说就对了。”
裴洛拉特开始慢慢地、一字一顿地说着古银河语。那孩子望着他,紧紧皱着眉头,像是试图了解他在说些什么。
崔维兹说:“你在跟它沟通的时候,最好顺便问它如何才能出去。”
宝绮思说:“不,暂时不要,先建立信心,再问问题。”
那孩子一面望着裴洛拉特,一面慢慢松开机器人。它说了几句话,声音高亢而带有音乐性。
裴洛拉特慌忙道:“它讲得太快,我听不懂。”
宝绮思说:“请它再慢慢讲一遍,我尽全力消除它的恐惧,让它保持镇静。”
裴洛拉特又听了一遍那孩子说的话,然后说:“我想它在问健比为什么不动了,健比一定就是这个机器人。”
“再问一遍确定一下,裴。”
裴洛拉特再跟那孩子谈了几句,又说:“没错,健比就是这个机器人,这孩子管自己叫菲龙。”
“太好了!”宝绮思对那孩子微微一笑,那是个灿烂开心的笑容。她伸手指指它,然后说:“菲龙,乖菲龙,勇敢的菲龙。”又将一只手放在自己胸前,“宝绮思。”
那孩子也露出微笑,它展现笑容时,看起来非常讨人喜欢。“宝绮思——”它那个“思”的发音有点不正确。
崔维兹说:“宝绮思,如果你能启动这个机器人健比,它也许能告诉我们一些我们想知道的事。裴洛拉特可以跟它沟通,不会比跟这孩子沟通更困难。”
“不行,”宝绮思说:“那样做有问题。这个机器人的首要任务是保护这孩子 ,如果它被启动后,发觉我们这几个陌生的人类,它或许缓螈即攻击我们,因为这里不该有任何陌生人。到时我若被迫再使它停摆,它就无法提供我们任何讯息,而这个孩子,看到它心目中唯一的亲人再度停摆——唉,我就是不要那么做。”
“可是我们都听说过,”裴洛拉特柔声道:“机器人一律不能伤害人类。”
“我们的确听说过,”宝绮思说:“可是没有人告诉我们,这些索拉利人设计是什么样的机器人。即使这个机器人被设计得不能伤害人类,它也必须做出抉择——一边是它的孩子,或者说几乎是它的孩子;另一边却是三个陌生物件,它也许根本认不出我们是人类,只会把我们当成非法闯人者。它自然会选择保护孩子,而对我们发动攻击。”
她再度转身面对那孩子。“菲龙,”她说:“宝绮思,”她指指自己,接着又指向其他两人,“裴——崔——”
“裴,崔。”孩子乖顺地跟着说。
她向那孩子走近些,双手慢慢向它接近。它一面望着她,一面向后退了一步。
“冷静,菲龙:”宝绮思说:“乖乖,菲龙;摸摸,菲龙;好乖,菲龙。”
它向她走近一步,宝绮思松了一口气。 “乖,菲龙。”
她摸了摸菲龙裸露在外的臂膀,它跟它的单亲一样,只穿了一件长袍,前胸敞开,下面系着一条束腰。她只轻轻摸了一下,手就赶紧移开,等了一会儿,才又将手放回它的手臂上,轻柔地抚摸着。
在宝绮思心灵的强力镇静作用下,那孩子的眼睛微微闭上。
宝绮思的双手慢慢往上移,动作非常轻,几乎没有触摸到它的肌肤。她两只手一路摸到孩子的肩膀、颈部、耳朵,最后伸进它棕色的长发中,来到它双耳后方偏上的部位。
她随即将双手放下,说道:“转换叶突还小,头盖骨尚未发育完全。那里有一层硬质皮肤,等到叶突长成后,它就会向外鼓胀,被头盖骨围起来。这就代表说,如今它还无法控制这个属地,甚至无法启动属于它的机器人——问问它有几岁了,裴。”
经过一番交谈后,裴洛拉特说:“它今年十四岁,如果我没弄错的话。”
崔维兹说:“它看起来更像十一岁。”
宝绮思说:“这个世界采用的年,长度也许和银河标准年不尽相同。此外,据说外世界人曾将寿命延长,这点如果索拉利人跟其他外世界人一样,他们或许也延长了发育期,总之我们不能以年龄为变准。”
崔维兹不耐烦地咂咂舌头。“别再讨论人类学了,我们必须赶快到达地表。我们沟通的对象是个孩子,我们可能只是在浪费时间。它也许不知道通往地表的路径,也可能从来没有到过地表。”
宝绮思说:“裴!”
裴洛拉特明白她的意思,马上又跟菲龙讨论起来,这次花的时间比前几次都要长。
最后他终于说:“这孩子知道什么是太阳,它说自己曾看到过。我想它也见过树木,它的反应好像不确定那个宇的意义,至少不确定我用的那个字眼……”
“好了,詹诺夫,”崔维兹说:“拜托言归正传吧。”
“我告诉菲龙说,如果它能带我们到达地面,我们也许就有办法启动那个机器人。事实上,我说我们‘就会’启动那个机器人。你认为我们可能做到吗?”
崔维兹说:“这件事我们待会儿再操心,它有没有说愿意为我们带路?”
“有。我刚才是这么想的,如果我做出承诺,你也知道,这孩子会更热心。我认为,我们在冒着让它失望的危险……”
“走吧,”崔维兹说:“我们立刻出发。如果我们困在地底,所有的事情都是纸上谈兵。”
裴洛拉特又对那孩子说了几句话,它便开始向前走,不久它又停下脚步,回头望着宝绮思。
宝绮思伸出一只手,于是两人手牵着手一起走了。
“我是个新的机器人。”她露出淡淡的微笑。
“它好像相当满意。”崔维兹说。
菲龙一路蹦蹦跳跳,崔维兹心中突然闪过一些疑问,它现在这么开心,只是宝绮思费尽心血的结果吗?或是除此之外,又加上它有机会再度去地表玩耍,还得到三个新的机器人,所以才会这样兴奋?或者,它变得如此兴高采烈,是因为想到保母健比会回到它身边?这都没什么关系,只要这孩子肯带路就行。
孩子的步伐似乎没有任何迟疑,每当遇到岔路,它毫不犹豫就做出选择。它真知道自己向哪里走吗?或者这只是小孩子无意义的行动?它只是在玩一个游戏,根本没有明确的目的地?
可是,从变得稍微沉着的脚步中,崔维兹意识到自己正在上坡。而那个孩子,则一面信心十足地蹦蹦跳跳,一面指着前方,叽哩呱啦说个不停。
崔维兹望向裴洛拉特,袭洛拉特清了清喉咙说:“我想它说的是‘门’。”
“我希望你所想的正确无误。”崔维兹说。
此时,孩子挣脱了宝绮思的手,飞快向前奔去,同时伸手指着某处的地板,那里的颜色似乎比周围深。它踏上那块地板,在原地跳了几下,然后转过头来,露出明显的沮丧表情,又用尖锐的声音说了一大串。
宝绮思苦笑了一下。“我得负责供应电力,这会让我筋疲力尽。”
她的脸微微转红,灯光变暗了点,但菲龙面前的一扇门却打了开,它立刻发出女高音般的欢呼。
那孩子冲出门外,两位男士紧跟在后。宝绮思是最后一个出来的,当那扇门快要关上的时候,她回头望了望,里面已经一片漆黑。然后她停下脚步,稍微喘了一口气,看来相当疲倦。
“好啦,”裴洛拉特说:“我们出来了,太空船在哪里?”
现在他们都已来到户外,沐浴在仍算明后的夕阳下。
崔维兹喃喃说道:“我觉得它好像在那个方向。”
“我也这么觉得,”宝绮思说:“我们走吧。”说完就伸手去牵菲龙。
除了风声,以及一些动物的叫声与走动声外,四周围可谓一片静寂。他们在途中遇到一个机器人,一动不动地站在树基附近,手中抱着一个功用不明的物体。
裴洛拉特显然是出于好奇,朝那个方向迈出一步,崔维兹却赶紧说:“不关我们的事,詹诺夫,继续走吧。”
不久,他们又远远看到另一个机器人瘫在地上。
崔维兹说:“我想方圆百公里内,一定到处都是放倒的机器人。”
然后他又得意洋洋地说:“啊,太空船在那里。”
他们马上加快脚步,突然间又停了下来。菲龙扯着喉咙发出兴奋的尖叫。
在太空艇附近,停着一艘显得相当原始的航空器,它的转子看来非常浪费能量,而且十分脆弱。在那具航空器旁边,介于他们四人与太空艇之间,站着四个貌似人类的身形。
“太迟了,”崔维兹说:“我们浪费了太多时间。现在怎么办?”
裴洛拉特以困惑的口吻说:“四个索拉利人?这不可能。它们当然不会做这样的实质接触,你想它们是全讯影像吗?”
“它们是百分之百的实体,”宝绮思说:“这点我能肯定。不过它们也不是索拉利人,这些心灵我绝不会弄错,它们是机器人。”
55
“好吧,那么,”崔维兹带着倦意说:“刚进!”他继续以沉着的步伐向太空艇走去,其他人跟在他后面。
裴洛拉特有点上气不接下气地说:“你打算怎么办?”
“假如它们是机器人,它们就必须服从命令。”
那几个机器人正在等候他们。走近之后,崔维兹开始仔细打量它们。
没错,它们一定是机器人。它们的脸部看来好像有皮有肉,但是毫无表情,显得相当诡异。它们都穿着制服,除了面部之外,没有暴露任何平方公分的肌肤,就连双手都戴着不透明的薄手套。
崔维兹随便做了个手势,那是个明确而直接的身体语言,意思是要它们让开。
那些机器人并没有动。
崔维兹低声对裴洛拉特说:“用说的,詹诺夫,语气要坚决。”
裴洛拉特清了清喉咙,以很不自然的男中音慢慢说,同时也像崔维兹那样,挥手表示要它们让开。然后,其中一个似乎高一点的机器人,以冰冷而犀利的声音答了几句。
裴洛拉特转头对崔维兹说:“我想它说我们是外星人士。”
“告诉它我们是人类,它必须服从我们。”
此时那机器人再度开口,说的是口音奇特伹仍可解的银河标准语。“我了解你的话,外星人士。我会说银河标准语,我们是守护机器人。”
“那么,你听到我刚才说的话了,我们是人类,你们必须服从我们。”
“我们的程式设计,外星人士,只让我们服从地主的命令,而你既不是地主又不是索拉利人。班德地主对常规接触未做回应,因此我们前来进行实地调查,这是我们的职责。我们发现了一艘并非索拉利出品的太空船,还有几个外星人士,而班德的机器人全部停摆。班德地王在哪里?”
崔维兹摇了摇头,以缓慢而清晰的声音说:“你的话我们完全不明白,我们太空船的电脑出了点问题,将我们带到这个陌生行星附近,这并非我们的本意。我们登陆此地,是想要找出目前的位置,却发现所有的机器人都已停摆,我们根本不知道发生了什么事。”
“这个解释不可信。如果这个属地上所有的机器人都停摆,所有的电力全部消失,那么班德地主一定死了。它刚好在你们着陆之际死亡,如果说只是巧合,那是不合逻辑的假设,其中一定有某种因果关联。”
崔维兹又说:“可是电力没有消失啊,你和其他几个机器人还能活动。”他这样说只是为了混淆视听,以显示他是个局外人,对这里的状况毫不知情,藉此洗脱自己的嫌疑。
那机器人说:“我们是守护机器人,我们不属于任何地主,而是属于整个世界。我们不受地主控制,以核能为动力来源。我再问一遍,班德地主在哪里?”
崔维兹四下看了看,裴洛拉特显得忧心仲忡,宝绮思紧抿嘴唇,但表情还算冷静,菲龙则全身发抖:宝绮思赶紧伸手搭着它的肩膀,它才变得坚强一点,脸上的恐惧神情也消失了。(宝绮思在令它镇静吗?)
那机器人说:“再问一次,这是最后一次,班德地主在哪里?”
“我不知道。”崔维兹绷着脸说。
柄器人点了点头,它的两个同伴便迅速离去。然后它说:“我的守护者同僚将搜索这所宅邸,在此期间,你将被留置此地接受盘问。把你佩挂在腰际两侧的东西交给我。”
崔维兹退了一步。“这些不会伤人。”
“别再乱动,我没问它们会不会伤人,我要你把它们交出来。”
“不行。”
那机器人迅速向前迈出一步,手臂猛然掠出,崔维兹还不知道发生了什么事,机器人一只手已搭上他的肩头。那只手用力收紧,同时向下猛压,崔维兹便跪了下来。
柄器人又说:“交出来。”它伸出另一只手。
“不。”崔维兹喘着气说。
此时宝绮思冲过去,将手铣从皮套中掏出来。崔维兹被机器人紧紧箝制,根本无法阻止她的行动。
她将手铳递给那机器人。“给你,守护者,”她说:“请你稍等一下——这是另外一件,现在放开我的同伴。”
柄器人握着两件武器向后退去,崔维兹慢慢站起来,搓揉着左肩,脸孔因痛苦而扭曲。
(菲龙在轻声抽噎,心慌意乱的裴洛拉特连忙将它抱起来,紧紧搂着它。)
宝绮思以极愤怒的语气,对崔维兹悄声道:“你为什么要跟它斗?它用两根指头就能把你捏死。”
崔维兹哼了一声,咬牙切齿地说:“你为什么不对付它?”
“我在试啊,伹这需要时间。它的心灵没有空隙,程式设计得精密无比,我根本找不到漏洞可钻。我必须好好研究一下,你得设法拖延时间。”
“别研究它的心灵,把它摧毁就行了。”崔维兹这句话几乎没有发出声音。
宝绮思迅速向那个机器人瞥了一眼,看到它正专注地研究那两件武器,而留在它身边的另一个机器人,则负责看守他们这些外星人士。它们两个似乎对崔维兹与宝绮思之间的耳语毫无兴趣。
宝绮思说:“不行,不能摧毁它。在先前那个世界,我们杀害过一只狗,又伤了另一只;而在这个世界,你也知道发生了什么事。”(她又很快瞥了一下两个守护机器人)“盖娅从不无故屠杀生灵,我需要时间设法和平解决。”
她后退了几步,眼睛紧盯着那个机器人。
柄器人说:“这两件是武器。”
“不是。”崔维兹说。
“是的,”宝绮思说:“不过它们现在没有用了,它们的能量已被抽光。”
“真是这样吗?你为什么携带能量被抽光的武器?也许它们还有些能量。”机器人抓起其中一件武器,将拇指放在正确的位置上。“它是这样启动的吗?”
“没错。”宝绮思说:“假如它还存有能量,你用力一压,它就会被启动——但是它没有。”
“确定吗?”机器人将武器对准崔维兹,“你还敢说如果我现在启动它,它不会生效?”
“它不会生效。”宝绮思说。
崔维兹僵在那里,几乎话都讲不清楚。班德将手铳中的能量抽光后,他曾经试过一次,证实它已经完全失效。然而那机器人拿的是神经鞭,崔维兹并未测试过。
即使神经鞭仅仅残存一点能量,也足以刺激痛觉神经。而崔维兹将产生的感觉,会使得刚才那一抓相较之下像是亲昵的爱抚。
在“舰队学院”受训时,崔维兹跟每个学员一样,曾被迫接受神经鞭轻微的一击。那样做的目的,只是要让他们尝尝那种滋味,崔维兹觉得一次就绰绰有余。
那机器人启动了武器,一时之间,崔维兹吃力地咬紧牙关——然后,又慢慢放松。
神经鞭的能量也全被抽光。
柄器人瞪了崔维兹一眼,再将两件武器丢到一旁。“这些武器怎么会被抽光能量?”它质问道:“如果它们没有用了,你为什么还要带在身上?”
崔维兹说:“我习惯了这个着量,即使能量没了,我仍然会随身携带。”
柄器人说:“这样讲根本没有道理,你们都被捕了。你们将接受进一步的盘问,而如果地主们做出决定,你们就会被停摆——怎样打开那艘太空船?我们必须进去搜查。”
“那样做没什么用,”崔维兹说:“你不了解它的构造。”
“即使我不懂,地主们也会懂得。”
“他们也不缓笏解。”
“那么你就得解释清楚,让他们能够了解。”
“我不会那样做。”
“那么你会被停摆。”
“我要是停摆了,你就得不到任何解释。不过我想,即使我做出解释,我一样会被停摆。”
宝绮思喃喃地说:“继续下去,我逐渐解开它脑部的运作奥秘了。”
那机器人未理会宝绮思。(是她造成的结果吗?崔维兹想,而且极度希望真是这样。)
柄器人的注意力紧盯在崔维兹身上。“如果你制造麻烦,那我们将令你部分停摆。我们会损坏你,然后你就会把我们想知道的告诉我们。”
裴洛拉特突然喊道:“慢着,你不能这么做——守护者,你不能这么做。”声音听来就像他被人扼住了脖于。
“我接受了详尽的指令,”机器人以平静的语气说:“我可以这样做。我会尽量减小损坏的秤谌,只要能问出所需的答案就好。”
“可是你不能那么做,绝对不能。我是个外星人士,我的两个同伴也一样。但这个孩子,”裴洛拉特看了看仍抱在手中的菲龙,“是个索拉利人。它会告诉你应该做什么,你必须服从它。”
菲龙张开眼睛望着裴洛拉特,不过它的眼神似乎很空洞。
宝绮思拼命摇头,可是裴洛拉特望着她,现出一副百思不解的神情。
那机器人的目光在菲龙身上停了一下,然后它说:“这个儿童一点都不着要,它没有转换叶突。”
“它只是没有发育完成的转换叶突,”裴洛拉特喘着气说:“但它将来总会有的,它是个索拉利儿童。”
“它是个儿童,但它没有发育完成的转换叶突,所以不能算是索拉利人。我没必要听从它的命令,也没必要保护它。”
“但它是班德地主的子嗣。”
“是吗?你怎么知道这件事?”
“怎……怎么会有其他小孩在这个属地上?”就像他过度兴奋的时候一样,裴洛拉特又结巴了。
“你怎么知道不会有十几个?”
“你看到其他小孩了吗?”
“现在是我在发问。”
此时,另一个机器人拍拍那机器人的手臂,转移了它的注意力。刚才被派去搜索宅邸的两个机器人,现在正快步跑回来,不过脚步有些踉舱。
突然间一片鸦雀无声,直到它们来到近前,其中一个才以索拉利语开始说话。它一番话讲完之后,四个机器人似乎都失去了弹性。一时之间,它们显得萎靡不振,像是泄了气一样。
裴洛拉特说:“它们找到班德了。”崔维兹根本来不及挥手阻止他。
那机器人慢慢转过身来,以含糊不清的声音说:“班德地主死了。可是你们刚才那句话告诉我们,你们已经知晓这件事实。怎么会这样呢?”
“我怎么知道?”崔维兹凶巴巴地说。
“你们知道它死了,你们知道在里面能找到它的尸体。除非你们曾经到过那里,除非就是你们结束了它的生命,否则你们怎么能知道?”那机器人的发音咬字渐渐恢复正常,表示它已经消化这个震撼,变得比较可以承受了。
此时崔维兹说:“我们如何能杀死班德?它拥有转换叶突,可以在瞬间将我们摧毁。”
“你怎知道转换叶突能做些什么、不能做些什么?”
“你刚才提到了转换叶突。”
“我只不过提到而已,没有描述它们的特性或功能。”
“我们从一场梦中得知的。”
“这是个不可信的答案。”
崔维兹说:“你怀疑我们导致班德的死亡,这个假设也不可信。”
裴洛拉特补充道:“而且无论如何,班德地主若是死了,这个属地现在就由菲龙地主控制。地主在这里,你们必须服从的就是它。”
“我解释过了,”那机器人说:“转换叶突尚未发育完成的儿童,不能算是索拉利人,因此它不能成为继承人。我们报告了这个坏消息后,另一个年龄适当的继承人会尽快飞来。”
“菲龙地主又怎么办?”
“根本没有所谓的菲龙地主,它只是个儿童,而我们的儿童人口过剩,它会被销毁。”
宝绮思激动地说:“你不敢。它是个孩子!”
“不一定由我执行这个行动,”机器人说:“也绝非由我做决定,这要由所有地主达成共识。然而,在儿童过剩时期,我很清楚它们的决定会是什么。”
“下行,我说不行。”
“不会有任何痛苦——但另一艘航具就快到了,我们的当务之急是进入原先的班德宅邸,召开一次全讯审议会,以便产生一个继承人,并决定怎样处置你们——把那个儿童交给我。”
宝绮思从裴洛拉特怀中,将陷入半昏迷的菲龙一把抢过来。她紧紧抱着它,试图用肩膀支撑它的着量,并且说:“不准碰这个孩子。”
那机器人再度猛然伸出手臂,同时迈出脚步,想要将菲龙抓走。但在它展开行动前,宝绮思早巳迅速闪到一侧,机器人却继续前进,好像宝绮思仍站在原地。接着,它全身僵硬地向前栽倒,双脚脚尖顶地,直挺挺地扑向地面。其他三个机器人站在原处静止不动,眼神全都涣散无光。
宝绮思开始哭泣,同时带着几分愤怒。“我几乎找到了适当的控制法,它却不给我时间。我没有选择余地,只好先下手为强,现在这四个都停摆了。趁援军尚未降落,我们赶紧上太空船吧:我现在身心俱疲,再也无法对付其他的机器人了。”

回到夏末之初

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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Chapter 12: To the Surface

51Trevize turned his head at once to look at Bliss. Herface was expressionless, but taut, and her eyes were fixed on Banderwith an intensity that made her seem oblivious to all else.
Pelorat's eyes were wide, disbelieving.
Trevize, not knowing what Bliss would or could do,struggled to fight down an overwhelming sense of loss (not so muchat the thought of dying, as of dying without knowing where Earth was,without knowing why he had chosen Gaia as humanity's future). He had toplay for time.
He said, striving to keep his voice steady, and his words clear,"You have shown yourself a courteous and gentle Solarian, Bander. Youhave not grown angry at our intrusion into your world. You have beenkind enough to show us over your estate and mansion, and you haveanswered our questions. It would suit your character better to allow usto leave now. No one need ever know we were on this world and we wouldhave no cause to return. We arrived in all innocence, seeking merelyinformation.""What you say is so," said Bander lightly, "and, so far, I havegiven you life. Your lives were forfeit the instant you entered ouratmosphere. What I might have done and should have done onmaking close contact with you, would be to have killed you at once. Ishould then have ordered the appropriate robot to dissect your bodiesfor what information on Outworlders that might yield me.
"I have not done that. I have pampered my own curiosity and given into my own easygoing nature, but it is enough. I can do it no longer. Ihave, in fact, already compromised the safety of Solaria, for if,through some weakness, I were to let myself be persuaded to let you go,others of your kind would surely follow, however much you might promisethat they would not.
"There is, however, at least this. Your death will be painless. I willmerely heat your brains mildly and drive them into inactivation. You willexperience no pain. Life will merely cease. Eventually, when dissectionand study are over, I will convert you to ashes in an intense flash ofheat and all will be over."Trevize said, "If we must die, then I cannot argue against a quickpainless death, but why must we die at all, having given no offense?""Your arrival was an offense.""Not on any rational ground, since we could not know it was anoffense.""Society defines what constitutes an offense. To you, it may seemirrational and arbitrary, but to us it is not, and this is our world onwhich we have the full right to say that in this and that, you have donewrong and deserve to die."Bander smiled as though it were merely making pleasant conversationand went on, "Nor have you any right to complain on the ground of yourown superior virtue. You have a blaster which uses a beam of microwavesto induce intense killing heat. It does what I intend to do, but doesit, I am sure, much more crudely and painfully. You would have nohesitation in using it on me right now, had I not drained its energy,and if I were to be so foolish as to allow you the freedom of movementthat would enable you to remove the weapon from its holster."Trevize said despairingly, afraid even to glance again at Bliss, lestBander's attention be diverted to her, "I ask you, as an act of mercy,not to do this."Bandar said, turning suddenly grim, "I must first be merciful tomyself and to my world, and to do that, you must die."He raised his hand and instantly darkness descended upon Trevize.
52For a moment, Trevize felt the darkness choking himand thought wildly, Is this death?
And as though his thoughts had given rise to an echo, he heard awhispered, "Is this death?" It was Pelorat's voice.
Trevize tried to whisper, and found he could. "Why ask?" he said,with a sense of vast relief. "The mere fact that you can ask shows itis not death.""Mere are old legends that there is life after death.""Nonsense," muttered Trevize. "Bliss? Are you here, Bliss?"There was no answer to that.
Again Pelorat echoed, "Bliss? Bliss? What happened, Golan?"Trevize said, "Bender must be dead. He would, in that case, be unableto supply the power for his estate. The lights would go out.""But how could? You mean Bliss did it?""I suppose so. I hope she did not come to harm in the process." Hewas on his hands and knees crawling about in the total darkness of theunderground (if one did not count the occasional subvisible flashing ofa radioactive atom breaking down in the walls).
Then his hand came on something warm and soft. He felt along itand recognized a leg, which he seized. It was clearly too small to beBander's. "Bliss?"The leg kicked out, forcing Trevize to let go.
He said, "Bliss? Say something!""I am alive," came Bliss's voice, curiously distorted.
Trevize said, "But are you well?""No." And, with that, light returned to theirsurroundings weakly. The walls gleamed faintly, brightening anddimming erratically.
Bander lay crumpled in a shadowy heap. At its side, holding its head,was Bliss.
She looked up at Trevize and Pelorat. "The Solarian is dead," she said,and her cheeks glistened with tears in the weak light.
Trevize was dumbfounded. "Why are you crying?""Should I not cry at having killed a living thing of thought andintelligence? That was not my intention."Trevize leaned down to help her to her feet, but she pushed himaway.
Pelorat knelt in his turn, saying softly, "Please, Bliss, even youcan't bring it back to life. Tell us what happened."She allowed herself to be pulled upward and said dully, "Gaia cando what Bander could do. Gaia can make use of the unevenly distributedenergy of the Universe and translate it into chosen work by mentalpower alone.""I knew that," said Trevize, attempting to be soothing without quiteknowing how to go about it. "I remember well our meeting in space whenyou or Gaia, rather held our spaceship captive. I thoughtof that when Bander held me captive after it had taken my weapons. Itheld you captive, too, but I was confident you could have broken freeif you had wished.""No. I would have failed if I had tried. When your ship was in my/our/Gaia's grip," she said sadly, "I and Gaia were truly one. Now there is ahyperspatial separation that limits my/our/Gaia's efficiency. Besides,Gaia does what it does by the sheer power of massed brains. Even so,all those brains together lack the transducer-lobes this one Solarianhas. We cannot make use of energy as delicately, as efficiently, astirelessly as he could. You see that I cannot make the lights gleammore brightly, and I don't know how long I can make them gleam at allbefore tiring. Bander could supply the power for an entire vast estate,even when it was sleeping.""But you stopped it," said Trevize.
"Because it didn't suspect my powers," said Bliss, "and because Idid nothing that would give it evidence of them. It was thereforewithout suspicion of me and gave me none of its attention. Itconcentrated entirely on you, Trevize, because it was you who borethe weapons again, how well it has served that you armedyourself and I had to wait my chance to stop Bander with onequick and unexpected blow. When it was on the point of killing us,when its whole mind was concentrated on that, and on you, I was ableto strike.""And it worked beautifully.""How can you say something so cruel, Trevize? It was only my intentionto stop it. I merely wished to block its use of its transducer. In themoment of surprise when it tried to blast us and found it could not,but found, instead, that the very illumination about us was fadinginto darkness, I would tighten my grip and send it into a prolongednormal sleep and release the transducer. The power would then remainon, and we could get out of this mansion, into our ship, and leave theplanet. I hoped to so arrange things that, when Bander finally woke,it would have forgotten all that had happened from the instant of itssighting us. Gaia has no desire to kill in order to accomplish what canbe brought about without killing.""What went wrong, Bliss?" said Pelorat softly.
"I had never encountered any such thing as those transducer-lobes andI lacked any time to work with them and learn about them. I merely struckout forcefully with my blocking maneuver and, apparently, it didn't workcorrectly. It was not the entry of energy into the lobes that was blocked,but the exit of that energy. Energy is always pouring into those lobes ata reckless rate but, ordinarily, the brain safeguards itself by pouringout that energy just as quickly. Once I blocked the exit, however, energypiled up within the lobes at once and, in a tiny fraction of a second,the temperature had risen to the point where the brain protein inactivatedexplosively and it was dead. The lights went out and I removed my blockimmediately, but, of course, it was too late.""I don't see that you could have done anything other than that whichyou did, dear," said Pelorat.
"Of what comfort is that, considering that I have killed.""Bander was on the point of killing us," said Trevize.
"That was cause for stopping it, not for killing it."Trevize hesitated. He did not wish to show the impatience he felt forhe was unwilling to offend or further upset Bliss, who was, after all,their only defense against a supremely hostile world.
He said, "Bliss, it is time to look beyond Bander's death. Because itis dead, all power on the estate is blanked out. This will be noticed,sooner or later, probably sooner, by other Solarians. They will be forcedto investigate. I don't think you will be able to hold off the perhapscombined attack of several. And, as you have admitted yourself, you won'tbe able to supply for very long the limited power you are managing tosupply now. It is important, therefore, that we get back to the surface,and to our ship, without delay.""But, Golan," said Pelorat, "how do we do that? We came for manykilometers along a winding path. I imagine it's quite a maze down hereand, for myself, I haven't the faintest idea of where to go to reachthe surface. I've always had a poor sense of direction."Trevize, looking about, realized that Pelorat was correct. He said,"I imagine there are many openings to the surface, and we needn't findthe one we entered.""But we don't know where any of the openings are. How do we findthem?"Trevize turned again to Bliss. "Can you detect anything. mentally,that will help us find our way out?"Bliss said, "The robots on this estate are all inactive. I can detecta thin whisper of subintelligent life straight up, but all that tellsus is that the surface is straight up, which we know.""Well, then," said Trevize, "we'll just have to look for someopening.""Hit-and-miss," said Pelorat, appalled. "We'll never succeed.""We might, Janov," said Trevize. "If we search, there will be a chance,however small. The alternative is simply to stay here, and if we do thatthen we will never succeed. Come, a small chance is better than none.""Wait," said Bliss. "I do sense something.""What?" said Trevize.
"A mind.""Intelligence?""Yes, but limited, I think. What reaches me most clearly, though,is something else.""What?" said Trevize, again fighting impatience.
"Fright! Intolerable fright!" said Bliss, in a whisper.
53Trevize looked about ruefully. He knew where they hadentered but he had no illusion on the score of being able to retrace thepath by which they had come. He had, after all, paid little attentionto the turnings and windings. Who would have thought they'd be in theposition of having to retrace the route alone and without help, and withonly a flickering, dim light to be guided by?
He said, "Do you think you can activate the car, Bliss?"Bliss said, "I'm sure I could, Trevize, but that doesn't mean I canrun it."Pelorat said, "I think that Bander ran it mentally. I didn't see ittouch anything when it was moving."Bliss said gently, "Yes, it did it mentally, Pel, buthow , mentally? You might as well say that it did it byusing the controls. Certainly, but if I don't know the details of usingthe controls, that doesn't help, does it?""You might try," said Trevize.
"If I try, I'll have to put my whole mind to it, and if I do that,then I doubt that I'll be able to keep the lights on. The car will dous no good in the dark even if I learn how to control it.""Then we must wander about on foot, I suppose?""I'm afraid so."Trevize peered at the thick and gloomy darkness that lay beyond the dimlight in their immediate neighborhood. He saw nothing, heard nothing.
He said, "Bliss, do you still sense this frightened mind?""Yes, I do.""Can you tell where it is? Can you guide us to it?""The mental sense is a straight line. It is not refracted sensiblyby ordinary matter, so I can tell it is coming from that direction."She pointed to a spot on the dusky wall, and said, "But we can't walkthrough the wall to it. The best we can do is follow the corridors andtry to find our way in whatever direction will keep the sensation growingstronger. In short, we will have to play the game of hot-and-cold.""Then let's start right now."Pelorat hung back. "Wait, Golan; are we sure we want to find thisthing, whatever it is? If it is frightened, it may be that we will havereason to be frightened, too."Trevize shook his head impatiently. "We have no choice, Janov. It'sa mind, frightened or not, and it may be willing to or may be madeto direct us to the surface.""And do we just leave Bander lying here?" said Pelorat uneasily.
Trevize took his elbow. "Come, Janov. We have no choice in that,either. Eventually some Solarian will reactivate the place, and a robotwill find Bander and take care of it I hope not before we aresafely away."He allowed Bliss to lead the way. The light was always strongestin her immediate neighborhood and she paused at each doorway, at eachfork in the corridor, trying to sense the direction from which thefright came. Sometimes she would walk through a door, or move around acurve, then come back and try an alternate path, while Trevize watchedhelplessly.
Each time Bliss came to a decision and moved firmly in a particulardirection, the light came on ahead of her. Trevize noticed that it seemeda bit brighter now either because his eyes were adapting to thedimness, or because Bliss was learning how to handle the transductionmore efficiently. At one point, when she passed one of the metal rodsthat were inserted into the ground, she put her hand on it and the lightsbrightened noticeably. She nodded her head as though she were pleasedwith herself.
Nothing looked in the least familiar; it seemed certain they werewandering through portions of the rambling underground mansion they hadnot passed through on the way in.
Trevize kept looking for corridors that led upward sharply, and hevaried that by studying the ceilings for any sign of a trapdoor. Nothingof the sort appeared, and the frightened mind remained their only chanceof getting out.
They walked through silence, except for the sound of their own steps;through darkness, except for the light in their immediate vicinity;through death, except for their own lives. Occasionally, they made outthe shadowy bulk of a robot, sitting or standing in the dusk, with nomotion. Once they saw a robot lying on its side, with legs and arms inqueer frozen positions. It had been caught off-balance, Trevize thought,at the moment when power had been turned off, and it had fallen. Bander,either alive or dead, could not affect the force of gravity. Perhapsall over the vast Bander estate, robots were standing and lying inactiveand it would be that that would quickly be noted at the borders.
Or perhaps not, he thought suddenly. Solarians would know when oneof their number would be dying of old age and physical decay. The worldwould be alerted and ready. Bander, however, had died suddenly, withoutpossible foreknowledge, in the prime of its existence. Who would know? Whowould expect? Who would be watching for inactivation?
But no (and Trevize thrust back optimism and consolation as dangerouslures into overconfidence). The Solarians would note the cessation ofall activity on the Bander estate and take action at once. They allhad too great an interest in the succession to estates to leave deathto itself.
Pelorat murmured unhappily, "Ventilation has stopped. A place likethis, underground, must be ventilated, and Bander supplied the power. Nowit has stopped.""It doesn't matter, Janov," said Trevize. "We've got enough air downin this empty underground place to last us for years.""It's close just the same. It's psychologically bad.""Please, Janov, don't get claustrophobic. Bliss, are we anycloser?""Much, Trevize," she replied. "The sensation is stronger and I amclearer as to its location."She was stepping forward more surely, hesitating less at points ofchoice of direction.
"There! There!" she said. "I can sense it intensely."Trevize said dryly, "Even I can hear it now."All three stopped and, automatically, held their breaths. They couldhear a soft moaning, interspersed with gasping sobs.
They walked into a large room and, as the lights went on, they sawthat, unlike all those they had hitherto seen, it was rich and colorfulin furnishings.
In the center of the room was a robot, stooping slightly, its armsstretched out in what seemed an almost affectionate gesture and, ofcourse, it was absolutely motionless.
Behind the robot was a flutter of garments. A round frightened eyeedged to one side of it, and there was still the sound of a brokenheartedsobbing.
Trevize darted around the robot and, from the other side, a smallfigure shot out, shrieking. It stumbled, fell to the ground, andlay there, covering its eyes, kicking its legs in all directions, asthough to ward off some threat from whatever angle it might approach,and shrieking, shrieking Bliss said, quite unnecessarily, "It's a child!"54Trevize drew back, puzzled. What was a child doinghere? Bander had been so proud of its absolute solitude, so insistentupon it.
Pelorat, less apt to fall back on iron reasoning in the face of anobscure event, seized upon the solution at once, and said, "I supposethis is the successor.""Bander's child," said Bliss, agreeing, "but too young, I think,to be a successor. The Solarians will have to find one elsewhere."She was gazing at the child, not in a fixed glare, but in a soft,mesmerizing way, and slowly the noise the child was making lessened. Itopened its eyes and looked at Bliss in return. Its outcry was reducedto an occasional soft whimper.
Bliss made sounds of her own, now, soothing ones, broken words thatmade little sense in themselves but were meant only to reinforce thecalming effect of her thoughts. It was as though she were mentallyfingering the child's unfamiliar mind and seeking to even out itsdisheveled emotions.
Slowly, never taking its eyes off Bliss, the child got to its feet,stood there swaying a moment, then made a dash for the silent, frozenrobot. It threw its arms about the sturdy robotic leg as though avidfor the security of its touch.
Trevize said, "I suppose that the robot is its nursemaid orcaretaker. I suppose a Solarian can't care for another Solarian, noteven a parent for a child."Pelorat said, "And I suppose the child is hermaphroditic.""It would have to be," said Trevize.
Bliss, still entirely preoccupied with the child, was approachingit slowly, hands held half upward, palms toward herself, as thoughemphasizing that there was no intention of seizing the small creature. Thechild was now silent, watching the approach, and holding on the moretightly to the robot.
Bliss said, "There, child warm, child soft, warm,comfortable, safe, child safe safe."She stopped and, without looking round, said in a low voice, "Pel,speak to it in its language. Tell it we're robots come to take care ofit because the power failed.""Robots!" said Pelorat, shocked.
"We must be presented as robots. It's not afraid of robots. And it'snever seen a human being, maybe can't even conceive of them."Pelorat said, "I don't know if I can think of the right expression. Idon't know the archaic word for `robot.'""Say `robot,' then, Pel. If that doesn't work, say `iron thing.' Saywhatever you can."Slowly, word by word, Pelorat spoke archaically. The child looked athim, frowning intensely, as though trying to understand.
Trevize said, "You might as well ask it how to get out, while you'reat it."Bliss said, "No. Not yet. Confidence first, then information."The child, looking now at Pelorat, slowly released its hold on therobot and spoke in a high-pitched musical voice.
Pelorat said anxiously, "It's speaking too quickly for me."Bliss said, "Ask it to repeat more slowly. I'm doing my best to calmit and remove its fears."Pelorat, listening again to the child, said, "I think it's askingwhat made Jemby stop. Jemby must be the robot.""Check and make sure, Pel."Pelorat spoke, then listened, and said, "Yes, Jemby is the robot. Thechild calls itself Fallom.""Good!" Bliss smiled at the child, a luminous, happy smile, pointedto it, and said, "Fallom. Good Fallom. Brave Fallom." She placed a handon her chest and said, "Bliss."The child smiled. It looked very attractive when it smiled. "Bliss,"it said, hissing the "s" a bit imperfectly.
Trevize said, "Bliss, if you can activate the robot, Jemby, it mightbe able to tell us what we want to know. Pelorat can speak to it aseasily as to the child.""No," said Bliss. "That would be wrong. The robot's first duty is toprotect the child. If it is activated and instantly becomes aware of us,aware of strange human beings, it may as instantly attack us. No strangehuman beings belong here. If I am then forced to inactivate it, it cangive us no information, and the child, faced with a second inactivationof the only parent it knows Well, I just won't do it.""But we were told," said Pelorat mildly, "that robots can't harmhuman beings.""So we were," said Bliss, "but we were not told what kind of robotsthese Solarians have designed. And even if this robot were designed todo no harm, it would have to make a choice between its child, or thenearest thing to a child it can have, and three objects whom it might noteven recognize as human beings, merely as illegal intruders. Naturally,it would choose the child and attack us."She turned to the child again. "Fallom," she said, "Bliss." Shepointed, "Pel Trev.""Pel. Trev," said the child obediently.
She came closer to the child, her hands reaching toward it slowly. Itwatched her, then took a step backward.
"Calm, Fallom," said Bliss. "Good, Fallom. Touch, Fallom. Nice,Fallom."It took a step toward her, and Bliss sighed. "Good, Fallom."She touched Fallom's bare arm, for it wore, as its parent had,only a long robe, open in front, and with a loincloth beneath. Thetouch was gentle. She removed her arm, waited, and made contact again,stroking softly.
The child's eyes half-closed under the strong, calming effect ofBliss's mind.
Bliss's hands moved up slowly, softly, scarcely touching, to thechild's shoulders, its neck, its ears, then under its long brown hairto a point just above and behind its ears.
Her hands dropped away then, and she said, "The transducer-lobesare still small. The cranial bone hasn't developed yet. There's just atough layer of skin there, which will eventually expand outward and befenced in with bone after the lobes have fully grown. Which meansit can't, at the present time, control the estate or even activate itsown personal robot. Ask it how old it is, Pel."Pelorat said, after an exchange, "It's fourteen years old, if Iunderstand it rightly."Trevize said, "It looks more like eleven."Bliss said, "The length of the years used on this world may notcorrespond closely to Standard Galactic Years. Besides, Spacers aresupposed to have extended lifetimes and, if the Solarians are likethe other Spacers in this, they may also have extended developmentalperiods. We can't go by years, after all."Trevize said, with an impatient click of his tongue, "Enoughanthropology. We must get to the surface and since we are dealing witha child, we may be wasting our time uselessly. It may not know the routeto the surface. It may not ever have been on the surface."Bliss said, "Pel!"Pelorat knew what she meant and there followed the longest conversationhe had yet had with Fallom.
Finally, he said, "The child knows what the sun is. It says it's seenit. I think it's seen trees. It didn't act as though it weresure what the word meant or at least what the word I used meant ""Yes, Janov," said Trevize, "but do get to the point.""I told Fallom that if it could get us out to the surface, thatmight make it possible for us to activate the robot. Actually, I saidwe would activate the robot. Do you suppose we might?"Trevize said, "We'll worry about that later. Did it say it wouldguide us?""Yes. I thought the child would be more anxious to do it, you see,if I made that promise. I suppose we're running the risk of disappointingit ""Come," said Trevize, "let's get started. All this will be academicif we are caught underground."Pelorat said something to the child, who began to walk, then stoppedand looked back at Bliss.
Bliss held out her hand and the two then walked hand in hand.
"I'm the new robot," she said, smiling slightly.
"It seems reasonably happy over that," said Trevize.
Fallom skipped along and, briefly, Trevize wondered if it were happysimply because Bliss had labored to make it so, or if, added to that,there was the excitement of visiting the surface and of having threenew robots, or whether it was excitement at the thought of having itsJemby foster-parent back. Not that it mattered as long as thechild led them.
There seemed no hesitation in the child's progress. It turned withoutpause whenever there was a choice of paths. Did it really know where itwas going, or was it all simply a matter of a child's indifference? Wasit simply playing a game with no clear end in sight?
But Trevize was aware, from the slight burden on his progress, thathe was moving uphill, and the child, bouncing self-importantly forward,was pointing ahead and chattering.
Trevize looked at Pelorat, who cleared his throat and said, "I thinkwhat it's saying is `doorway.'""I hope your thought is correct," said Trevize.
The child broke away from Bliss, and was running now. It pointed to aportion of the flooring that seemed darker than the sections immediatelyneighboring it. The child stepped on it, jumping up and down a few times,and then turned with a clear expression of dismay, and spoke with shrillvolubility.
Bliss said, with a grimace, "I'll have to supply the power. Thisis wearing me out."Her face reddened a bit and the lights dimmed, but a door opened justahead of Fallom, who laughed in soprano delight.
The child ran out the door and the two men followed. Bliss camelast, and looked back as the lights just inside darkened and the doorclosed. She then paused to catch her breath, looking rather worn out.
"Well," said Pelorat, "we're out. Where's the ship?"All of them stood bathed in the still luminous twilight.
Trevize muttered, "It seems to me that it was in that direction.""It seems so to me, too," said Bliss. "Let's walk," and she held outher hand to Fallom.
There was no sound except those produced by the wind and by themotions and calls of living animals. At one point they passed a robotstanding motionless near the base of a tree, holding some object ofuncertain purpose.
Pelorat took a step toward it out of apparent curiosity, but Trevizesaid, "Not our business, Janov. Move on."They passed another robot, at a greater distance, who had tumbled.
Trevize said, "There are robots littered over many kilometers inall directions, I suppose." And then, triumphantly, "Ah, there's theship."They hastened their steps now, then stopped suddenly. Fallom raisedits voice in an excited squeak.
On the ground near the ship was what appeared to be an air-vessel ofprimitive design, with a rotor that looked energy-wasteful, and fragilebesides. Standing next to the air-vessel, and between the little partyof Outworlders and their ship, stood four human figures.
"Too late," said Trevize. "We wasted too much time. Now what?"Pelorat said wonderingly, "Four Solarians? It can't be. Surely theywouldn't come into physical contact like that. Do you suppose thoseare holoimages?""They are thoroughly material," said Bliss. "I'm sure of that. They'renot Solarians either. There's no mistaking the minds. They're robots."55"Well, then," said Trevize wearily, "onward!" He resumedhis walk toward the ship at a calm pace and the others followed.
Pelorat said, rather breathlessly, "What do you intend to do?""If they're robots, they've got to obey orders."The robots were awaiting them, and Trevize watched them narrowly asthey came closer.
Yes, they must be robots. Their faces, which looked as though they weremade of skin underlain with flesh, were curiously expressionless. Theywere dressed in uniforms that exposed no square centimeter of skinoutside the face. Even the hands were covered by thin, opaque gloves.
Trevize gestured casually, in a fashion that was unquestionably abrusque request that they step aside.
The robots did not move.
In a low voice, Trevize said to Pelorat, "put it into words, Janov. Befirm."Pelorat cleared his throat and, putting an unaccustomed baritone intohis voice, spoke slowly, gesturing them aside much as Trevize had done. Atthat, one of the robots, who was perhaps a shade taller than the rest,said something in a cold and incisive voice.
Pelorat turned to Trevize. "I think he said we were Outworlders.""Tell him we are human beings and must be obeyed."The robot spoke then, in peculiar but understandable Galactic. "Iunderstand you, Outworlder. I speak Galactic. We are Guardian Robots.""Then you have heard me say that we are human beings and that youmust therefore obey us.""We are programmed to obey Rulers only, Outworlder. You are notRulers and not Solarian. Ruler Bander has not responded to the normalmoment of Contact and we have come to investigate at close quarters. Itis our duty to do so. We find a spaceship not of Solarian manufacture,several Outworlders present, and all Bander robots inactivated. Whereis Ruler Bander?"Trevize shook his head and said slowly and distinctly, "We knownothing of what you say. Our ship's computer is not working well. Wefound ourselves near this strange planet against our intentions. Welanded to find our location. We found all robots inactivated. We knownothing of what might have happened.""That is not a credible account. If all robots on the estate areinactivated and all power is off, Ruler Bander must be dead. It is notlogical to suppose that by coincidence it died just as you landed. Theremust be some sort of causal connection."Trevize said, with no set purpose but to confuse the issue and toindicate his own foreigner's lack of understanding and, therefore, hisinnocence, "But the power is not off. You and the others are active."The robot said, "We are Guardian Robots. We do not belong to anyRuler. We belong to all the world. We are not Ruler-controlled but arenuclear-powered. I ask again, where is Ruler Bander?"Trevize looked about him. Pelorat appeared anxious; Bliss wastight-lipped but calm. Fallom was trembling, but Bliss's hand touchedthe child's shoulder and it stiffened somewhat and lost facialexpression. (Was Bliss sedating it?)The robot said, "Once again, and for the last time, where is RulerBander?""I do not know," said Trevize grimly.
The robot nodded and two of his companions left quickly. The robotsaid, "My fellow Guardians will search the mansion. Meanwhile, you willbe held for questioning. Hand me those objects you wear at your side."Trevize took a step backward. "They are harmless.""Do not move again. I do not question their nature, whether harmfulor harmless. I ask for them.""No."The robot took a quick step forward, and his arm flashed out tooquickly for Trevize to realize what was happening. The robot's hand wason his shoulder; the grip tightened and pushed downward. Trevize wentto his knees.
The robot said, "Those objects." It held out its other hand.
"No," gasped Trevize.
Bliss lunged forward, pulled the blaster out of its holster beforeTrevize, clamped in the robot's grip, could do anything to preventher, and held it out toward the robot. "Here, Guardian," she said,"and if you'll give me a moment here's the other. Now releasemy companion."The robot, holding both weapons, stepped back, and Trevize roseslowly to his feet, rubbing his left shoulder vigorously, face wincingwith pain.
(Fallom whimpered softly, and Pelorat picked it up in distraction,and held it tightly.)Bliss said to Trevize, in a furious whisper, "Why are you fightinghim? He can kill you with two fingers."Trevize groaned and said, between gritted teeth, "Why don'tyou handle him.
"I'm trying to. It takes time. His mind is tight, intensely programmed,and leaves no handle. I must study it. You play for time.""Don't study his mind. Just destroy it," said Trevize, almostsoundlessly.
Bliss looked quickly toward the robot. It was studying the weaponsintently, while the one other robot that still remained with it watchedthe Outworlders. Neither seemed interested in the whispering that wasgoing on between Trevize and Bliss.
Bliss said, "No. No destruction. We killed one dog and hurt another onthe first world. You know what happened on this world." (Another quickglance at the Guardian Robots.) "Gaia does not needlessly butcher lifeor intelligence. I need time to work it out peacefully."She stepped back and stared at the robot fixedly.
The robot said, "These are weapons.""No," said Trevize.
"Yes," said Bliss, "but they are no longer useful. They are drainedof energy.""Is that indeed so? Why should you carry weapons that are drainedof energy? Perhaps they are not drained." The robot held one of theweapons in its fist and placed its thumb accurately. "Is this the wayit is activated?""Yes," said Bliss; "if you tighten the pressure, it would be activated,if it contained energy but it does not.""Is that certain?" The robot pointed the weapon at Trevize. "Do youstill say that if I activate it now, it will not work?""It will not work," said Bliss.
Trevize was frozen in place and unable to articulate. He had testedthe blaster after Bander had drained it and it was totally dead, butthe robot was holding the neuronic whip. Trevize had not tested that.
If the whip contained even a small residue of energy, there wouldbe enough for a stimulation of the pain nerves, and what Trevize wouldfeel would make the grip of the robot's hand seem to have been a patof affection.
When he had been at the Naval Academy, Trevize had been forced totake a mild neuronic whipblow, as all cadets had had to. That was justto know what it was like. Trevize felt no need to know anything more.
The robot activated the weapon and, for a moment, Trevize stiffenedpainfully and then slowly relaxed. The whip, too, was thoroughlydrained.
The robot stared at Trevize and then tossed both weapons to oneside. "How do these come to be drained of energy?" it demanded. "If theyare of no use, why do you carry them?"Trevize said, "I am accustomed to the weight and carry them evenwhen drained."The robot said, "That does not make sense. You are all undercustody. You will be held for further questioning, and, if the Rulersso decide, you will then be inactivated. How does one open thisship? We must search it.""It will do you no good," said Trevize. "You won't understand it.""If not I, the Rulers will understand.""They will not understand, either.""Then you will explain so that they will understand.""I will not.""Then you will be inactivated.""My inactivation will give you no explanation, and I think I will beinactivated even if I explain."Bliss muttered, "Keep it up. I'm beginning to unravel the workingsof its brain."The robot ignored Bliss. (Did she see to that? thought Trevize,and hoped savagely that she had.)Keeping its attention firmly on Trevize, the robot said, "If you makedifficulties, then we will partially inactivate you. We will damage youand you will then tell us what we want to know."Suddenly, Pelorat called out in a half-strangled cry. "Wait, youcannot do this. Guardian, you cannot do this.""I am under detailed instructions," said the robot quietly. "I cando this. Of course, I shall do as little damage as is consistent withobtaining information.""But you cannot. Not at all. I am an Outworlder, and so are thesetwo companions of mine. But this child," and Pelorat looked at Fallom,whom he was still carrying, "is a Solarian. It will tell you what to doand you must obey it."Fallom looked at Pelorat with eyes that were open, but seemedempty.
Bliss shook her head, sharply, but Pelorat looked at her without anysign of understanding.
The robot's eyes rested briefly on Fallom. It said, "The child is ofno importance. It does not have transducer-lobes.""It does not yet have fully developed transducer-lobes," said Pelorat,panting, "but it will have them in time. It is a Solarian child.""It is a child, but without fully developed transducer-lobes it isnot a Solarian. I am not compelled to follow its orders or to keep itfrom harm.""But it is the offspring of Ruler Bander.""Is it? How do you come to know that?"Pelorat stuttered, as he sometimes did when overearnest. "Wh whatother child would be on this estate?""How do you know there aren't a dozen?""Have you seen any others?""It is I who will ask the questions."At this moment, the robot's attention shifted as the second robottouched its arm. The two robots who had been sent to the mansion werereturning at a rapid run that, nevertheless, had a certain irregularityto it.
There was silence till they arrived and then one of them spoke inthe Solarian language at which all four of the robots seemed tolose their elasticity. For a moment, they appeared to wither, almostto deflate.
Pelorat said, "They've found Bander," before Trevize could wavehim silent.
The robot turned slowly and said, in a voice that slurred thesyllables, "Ruler Bander is dead. By the remark you have just made,you show us you were aware of the fact. How did that come to be?""How can I know?" said Trevize defiantly.
"You knew it was dead. You knew it was there to be found. How couldyou know that, unless you had been there unless it was you thathad ended the life?" The robot's enunciation was already improving. Ithad endured and was absorbing the shock.
Then Trevize said, "How could we have killed Bander? With itstransducer-lobes it could have destroyed us in a moment.""How do you know what, or what not, transducer-lobes could do?""You mentioned the transducer-lobes just now.""I did no more than mention them. I did not describe their propertiesor abilities.""The knowledge came to us in a dream.""That is not a credible answer."Trevize said, "To suppose that we have caused the death of Bander isnot credible, either."Pelorat added, "And in any case, if Ruler Bander is dead, then RulerFallom now controls this estate. Here the Ruler is, and it is it whomyou must obey.""I have already explained," said the robot, "that an offspring withundeveloped transducer-lobes is not a Solarian. It cannot be a Successor,therefore, Another Successor, of the appropriate age, will be flown inas soon as we report this sad news.""What of Ruler Fallom?""There is no Ruler Fallom. There is only a child and we have an excessof children. It will be destroyed."Bliss said forcefully, "You dare not. It is a child!""It is not I," said the robot, "who will necessarily do the act and itis certainly not I who will make the decision. That is for the consensusof the Rulers. In times of child-excess, however, I know well what thedecision will in.""No. I say no.""It will be painless. But another ship is coming. It isimportant that we go into what was the Bander mansion and set up aholovision Council that will supply a Successor and decide on what todo with you. Give me the child."Bliss snatched the semicomatose figure of Fallom from Pelorat. Holdingit tightly and trying to balance its weight on her shoulder, she said,"Do not touch this child."Once again, the robot's arm shot out swiftly and it stepped forward,reaching for Fallom. Bliss moved quickly to one side, beginning her motionwell before the robot had begun its own. The robot continued to moveforward, however, as though Bliss were still standing before it. Curvingstiffly downward, with the forward tips of its feet as the pivot, it wentdown on its face. The other three stood motionless, eyes unfocused.
Bliss was sobbing, partly with rage. "I almost had the proper method ofcontrol, and it wouldn't give me the time. I had no choice but to strikeand now all four are inactivated. Let's get on the ship beforethe other ship lands. I am too ill to face additional robots, now."

回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第五部 梅尔波美尼亚星 第十三章 远离索拉利
56
离去的过程可谓一团混乱。崔维兹捡起那两件已失效的武器,打开气闸,一伙人跌跌撞撞进了太空艇。直到他们飞离地表,崔维兹才注意到菲龙也被带上来。
若非索拉利人的飞航技术并不高明,他们也许无法及时逃脱。那艘索拉利航空器花在降落与着地的时间,简直长得不可思议。反之,远星号的电脑几乎在一刹那间就让这艘着力太空艇垂直升空。
以如此的高速升空,原本会产生难以承受的加速效应,但由于远星号隔绝了着力作用,惯性也因而消失,所以能将加速效应完全除去。纵然如此,它仍无法消除空气阻力的效应,是以外壳温度急遽上升,增温速率远远超过舰队规定(或太空艇规范)的合理上限。
在升空时,他们看到第二艘索拉利航空器已经降落,此外还有几艘正在接近。崔维兹不知道宝绮思能对付多少机器人,伹根据他的判断,他们若在地面多耽搁十五分钟,就一定会被大群机器人吞没。
一旦进入太空(或几乎到达太空,周围只剩行星“外气层”的稀薄分子),崔维兹立刻朝行星的夜面飞去。那只是段很短的航程,因为他们离开地表时正是夕阳西下时分。在黑暗中,远星号可以,较快冷却,并能继续循螺线缓缓飞离这颗行星。
此时,裴洛拉特从他与宝绮思共用的舱房走出来说:“那孩子现在安稳地睡着了。我们教它如何使用盥洗室,它学来毫不费力。”
“这没什么好惊讶,那座宅邸中一定有类似的设备。”
“我在那里一间也没看到,其实我一直在找。”裴洛拉特若有所感地说:“要是我们再迟一刻回太空船,我就憋不住了。”
“我们都一样。但为什么要把那孩子带上来?”
裴洛拉特歉然地耸了耸肩。“宝绮思不愿丢下它,像是想挽救一条命,来弥补她害死的另一条命。她受不了……”
“我懂。”崔维兹说。
裴洛拉特说:“这孩子的形体非常奇怪。”
“既然是雌雄同体,就在所难免。”崔维兹说。
“它有两颗睾丸,你知道吧。”
“几乎不可能没有。”
“还有个我只能形容为非常小的阴道。”
崔维兹扮了个鬼脸。“恶心。”
“并不尽然,葛兰,”裴洛拉特抗议道:“这刚好符合它的需要。它只要产出一个受精卵细胞,或是一个很小的胚胎,受精卵或胚胎就能在实验室中发育,而且我敢说,是由机器人负责照顾。”
“假使他们的机器人系统发生故障,那又会如何?如果发生那种情形,它们就无法产生能存活的下一代。”
“任何一个世界,若是社会结构完全故障,都会陷入严着的危机。”
“不会像索拉利人那么严着,让我忍不住为它们掉泪。”
“嗯,一裴洛拉特说:“我承认它似乎不是非常迷人的世界——我的意思是对我们而言。但问题出在索拉利人和社会结构上,这两者跟我们完全不同,我亲爱的兄弟。但去掉了索拉利人和机器人,你会发现那个世界……”
“可能会开始崩溃,像奥罗拉现在那样。”崔维兹说:“宝绮思怎么样,詹诺夫?”
“只怕她累垮了,她正在睡觉。她有段很不好过的经历,葛兰。”
“我也没感到多么好过。”
崔维兹闭上眼睛。他已经决定,只要一确定索拉利人没有太空航行能力,他立刻要睡上一觉,好好放松一下。而直到目前为止,根据电脑的报告,太空中未发现任何人工天体。
想到他们造访过的两个外世界,他心中充满苦涩——一个上面有满怀敌意的野狗,另一个则有满怀敌意的雌雄同体独居者,两处都找不到一丝有关地球下落的线索。他们到过那两个世界的唯一证明,只有菲龙那个孩子。
他张开眼睛,裴洛拉特仍坐在电脑另一侧,以严肃的神情望着他。
崔维兹突然以坚定的语气说:“我们应该把那个索拉利小孩留在原地。”
裴洛拉特说:“可怜的小家伙,他们会杀了它。”
“即使这样,”崔维兹说:“它终究属于那里,是那个社会的一部分。被视为多余而遭处死,是它生来命该如此。”
“喔,我亲爱的伙伴,这实在是铁石心肠的看法。”
“这是合理的看法。我们不知道如何照顾它,它跟我们在一起,也许会多吃不少苦头,到头来却仍难免一死。它吃些什么东西?”
“我想我们吃什么它就吃什么,老友。事实上,问题是我们要吃什么呢?我们的存粮究竟还剩多少?”
“很多,很多,即使多一位乘客也不用愁。”
听到这个答案,裴洛拉特并未显得多么高兴。他说:“那些食物已变得十分单调,我们应该在康普隆补充些——虽然他们的烹饪术不怎么高明。”
“我们没办法。你应该还没忘记,我们走得相当匆忙,离开奥罗拉时也一样,而离开索拉利时尤其如此——单调一点有什么关系?虽然破坏了用餐情趣,却能让我们活命。”
“如果我们有需要,有没有可能找些新鲜食物?”
“随时都行,詹诺夫。拥有一艘着力太空船,上面又有几具超空间发动机,那么银河就只算个小地方。几天之内,我们便可到达任何一处。只不过银河中半数的世界都在留意我们的太空船,因此我宁愿暂时避避风头。”
“我想那也对——班德似乎对这艘太空船没兴趣。”
“它可能根本没意识到它的存在,我想索拉利人早就放弃太空航行。它们最大的心愿是完全遗世独立,如果它们在太空中不停活动,到处宣传自身的存在,就几乎不可能享有与世无争的日子。”
“我们下一步该怎么办,葛兰?”
崔维兹说:“我们还有第三个世界有待造访。”
裴洛拉特摇了摇头。“根据前面两个来判断,我对另一个不抱太大希望。”
“目前我也不抱什么希望。不过等我小睡片刻后,就要让电脑绘出飞往第三个世界的航线。”
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崔维兹的睡眠时间比预期长了许多,不过这没什么关系。太空艇上并没有自然的日夜,也从未绝对遵循“近似昼夜节律”。一天有几小时是人为的规定,诸如饮食、睡眠的自然作息规律,崔维兹与裴洛拉特就常常无法与时钟同步(宝绮思尤其如此)。
当崔维兹在浴室擦拭身体时(由于务必节约用水,肥皂泡最好别用水冲,只要擦掉就妤),脑子里正想着要不要再睡一两个钟头,他转过身来,竟发现菲龙站在面前,跟自己一样全身赤裸。
他不由自主往后一跳。这种单人盥洗间相当狭窄,身体某部分不可避免地一定会撞到什么坚硬的物体,他马上发出“哼”的一声。
菲龙好奇地盯着他,同时伸手指着他的阴茎。崔维兹听不懂它说什么,但从这孩子的神情看得出来,它似乎感到不可置信。为了让自己心安,崔维兹只好用双手遮住阴茎。
然后菲龙以一贯的高亢声调说:“你好。”
这孩子竟然会说银河标准语,崔维兹感到有些吃惊,不过听它的口气,好像是硬生生背下来的。
菲龙继续一个字一个字吃力地说:“宝——绮——思——说——你——洗——我。”
“是吗?”崔维兹双手按在菲龙肩膀上,“你——待——在——这——里。”
他指了指地板,菲龙当然立刻朝他所指的方向望去,看来它完全不懂那句话的意思。
“不要动。”崔维兹一面说,一面抓住孩子的双臂,紧紧按在它身体两侧,表示叫它静止别动。然后他赶紧擦干身体,穿上内衣裤,再套上一条长裤。
他走出去大叫:“宝绮思!”
在太空艇中,任何两个人的距离都很难超过四公尺。宝绮思随即来到她的舱房门口,带着微笑说:“是你在叫我吗,崔维兹?还是微风吹过摇曳的草地发出的声音?”
“别说笑了,宝绮思。那是什么?”他伸出拇指,猛力朝肩膀后面一甩。
宝绮思向他身后望了望,然后说:“嗯,看来像是我们昨天带上来的小索拉利人。”
“是你带上来的,你为什么要我替它洗澡?”
“我以为你会乐意帮忙。它是个很聪明的小家伙,银河标准语学得很快,我解释过的事它绝不会忘记。当然啦,我一直从旁帮助它。”
“自然如此。”
“没错,我让它保持冷静。在那颗行星上经历混乱场面时,我让它大多数时间都处于茫然状态,后来,又设法让它在太空船上睡一觉。现在我试图稍微转移它的心思,让它不再那么想念失去的机器人,它显然非常喜爱那个健比。”
“结果它就喜欢待在这里了,我想。”
“我希望如此。它的适应力很强,因为它还小,而在不过度影响它心灵的原则下,我尽量鼓励这一点。我还准备敦它说银河标准语。”
“那么你去帮它洗澡,懂不懂?”
宝绮思耸了耸肩。“我会的,假如你坚持的话,伹我希望让它觉得我们大家都很友善。如果我们每个人都分担些保母的工作,那会很有帮助,这方面你当然能合作。”
“不是合作到这种秤谌。还有你帮它洗完澡后,就把它给弄走,我要跟你谈一谈。”
宝绮思说:“你说把它弄走是什么意思?”她的语气突然透出敌意。
“我不是说把它从气闸抛出去,我的意思是把它弄到你的房间,叫它乖乖坐在角落——我要跟你谈谈。”
“任凭你吩咐。”她冷冷地说。
崔维兹一面瞪着她的背影,一面抚平自己的怒气。然后他走到驾驶舱,开启了显像屏幕。
索拉利星现在是个黑色圆盘,左侧有一道弯成新月形的光芒。崔维兹将双手放到桌面上,开始与电脑进行接触,竟发现他的火气立即平息。想要使心灵与电脑有效联结,就必须保持心平气和,久而久之,制约反射便将两者联系在一起。
以远星号为中心,他们目前与那颗行星的距离为半径,这个范围内没有任何人工天体。由此可以判断,索拉利人(或它们的机器人)不能也不会再跟踪他们。
惫不错,这样的话,现在他最好驶离夜面阴影。事实上,只要他继续远离索拉利,这颗行星呈现的圆盘便会越来越小;当它变得比远方体积大许多倍的太阳更小时,阴影无论如何都会消失。
同时,他指示电脑将太空艇驶离行星轨道面,这样可使加速过程安全许多。如此一来,他们便能更快到达一个空间曲率够小的区域,进行安全无虞的跃迁。
与往常一样,他又开始凝视远方的恒星。静寂而亘古不变的星体几乎带来一种催眠效应;它们本身的动荡与不定都已被长距离遮掩,呈现眼前的只有众多闪烁的光点。
其中一个光点,当然就是地球环绕的太阳——第一个太阳。生命在它的热辐射下诞生,人类也在它的庇荫下演化出来。
当然,如果外世界环绕的那些明后而显眼的恒星,全未收录在银河舆图中,那么,同样的情形也可能发生在“这个太阳”上。
彬者,是否只有外世界的太阳被故意遗漏,因为早年曾有过什么条约协定,让他们得以遗世独立?会不会地球的太阳虽收录于银河舆图中,却跟那些类似的、不含可住人行星的无数恒星混在一起了?
毕竟,银河中这类恒星总共三百亿左右,却只有约千分之一的轨道上有可住人行星。以他目前所在的位置为中心,周围几百秒差距之内,也许就有上千颗如此的可住人行星。他是否应将那些恒星逐一筛选,将所有的可住人行星都找一遍?
彬者,第一个太阳甚至不在银河这一区域?还有多少星域的居民,深信那个太阳是他们的近邻,而自己是最早一批殖民者的后裔?
他需要更多的资料,目前为止他什么也没有。
即使当初在奥罗拉的万年废墟中进行最仔细的搜寻,他也十分怀疑能否找到地球的下落。至于索拉利人,他更怀疑它们会提供任何相关资料。
而且,如果有关地球的所有资料,都从川陀那座伟大的图书馆消失无踪:又如果盖娅伟大的集体记忆,对地球也完全一片空白,那么在那些失落的外世界上,也几乎不可能有任何资料得以幸免。
假如他纯粹出于运气,竟然找到地球之阳,进而找到地球本身——会不会有什么外力使他无法察觉自己已经找到了?地球的防卫果真滴水不漏?它保持隐匿的决心果真如此坚决?
他究竟在寻找什么?
是地球吗?或是他认为(并无明确理由)可以在地球上找到谢顿计划的漏洞?
如今,谢顿计划已运作了五个世纪,(据说)最终将带领人类抵达一个安全的港湾——第二银河帝国的怀抱,它将比第一帝国更伟大、更崇高、更自由。然而他,崔维兹,却否定了第二帝国,转而支持盖娅星系。
扒娅星系将是个巨大的有机体;而第二银河帝国不论如何庞大,如何多样化,也只是众多独立有机体的联合组织,与它柑较之下,每个有机体仅只具有微观的尺度。自人类发迹以来,不知已建构出多少的个体集合,第二银河帝国只不过是另一个例子。虽然它有可能是最大、最好的一个,却仍无法脱离既有的框架。
扒娅星系则是个完全不同的组织,比第二银河帝国更理想。因此谢顿计划必定存有瑕疵,连伟大的哈里·谢顿自己都忽略了。
伹若是连谢顿都忽略的问题,崔维兹又怎么可能修正?他不是数学家,对谢顿计划的细节一概不知,全然没有概念。而且,即使有人能为他解释,他仍然会听得一头雾水。
他知道的只是谢顿计划的两个假设——必须牵涉到为数众多的人类,而且他们都不知道计划的具体细节。只要想想整个银河庞大的人口,第一个假设便不证自明;第二个假设也一定正确,因为知道计划细节的只有第二基地人,而他们的保密功夫极为到家。
唯一的可能,是还有个并未言明的假设,一个大家都视为理所当然的假设。由于实在太过明显,所以从来没有人提到或想到——伹却有可能不成立。这个假设若不成立,就会使谢顿计划的伟大目标大打折扣,使盖娅星系比第二帝国更胜一筹。
可是,倘若这个假设如此显而易见,如此理所当然,甚至从未有人想去捉它,它又怎么可能会错呢?如果从来没有人提及或想到,崔维兹怎么知道有这个假设的存在?即使他猜到它的存在,对它的本质又能有什么概念?
难道他真是那个崔维兹,一个拥有百分之百正确直觉的人,正如盖娅所坚持的?他总是知道怎样做才正确,即使不知自己为何要那样做?
现在他正逐一探访所知的每个外世界。这样做是正确的吗?外世界上会有答案吗?或者至少有初步的线索?
奥罗拉除了废墟与野狗之外,还有什么呢?(想必还有些凶猛的动物——狂暴的野牛?过大的野鼠?行动鬼祟的绿眼野猫?)索拉利虽未荒芜,可是除了机器人与懂得转换能量的人类,上面还有些什么别的呢?除非这两个世界保有地球下落的秘密,它们跟谢顿计划还能有什么牵连?
假如它们真藏有地球的秘密,地球与谢顿计划又有什么关联?这一切只是疯狂的想法吗?对于所谓自己料事如神的狂想,他是否听得太多又太认真了?
一股沉着无比的羞愧感向他扑来,压得他几乎要窒息。他望了望舱外遥不可及、与世无争的群星,暗自想道:我一定是银河中的头号大笨蛋。
58
宝绮思的声音打断了他的思绪。“好啦,崔维兹,你为什么要见——有什么不对劲吗?”她突然改用关心的语气问道。
崔维兹抬起头,发现一时之间很难摆脱沉着的心情。他瞪着她说:“没有,没有,没什么不对劲。我——我只不过想得出神。反正我三天两头就会陷入沉思。”
他知道宝绮思能读出他的情绪,因此有些不自在。她只对他做过口头承诺,说她绝不偷窥他的心灵。
不过,她似乎接受了他的解释。她说:“裴洛拉特跟菲龙在一起,在教它简单的银河标准语。我们吃的东西,那孩子好像都能吃,它没有过分挑嘴——伹你要见我是为了什么?”
“嗯,别在这里讲。”崔维兹说:“电脑现在不需要我,如果你愿意到我舱房来,床铺已经整理好,你可以坐在上面,我嘛就坐在椅子上。或者倒过来也行,如果你比较喜欢那样的话。”
“都可以。”于是他们来到崔维兹的舱房。她仔细盯着他,然后说:“你似乎不再冒火了。”
“你在检视我的心灵?”
“绝对没有,只是在检视你的脸色。”
“我不是冒火。我偶尔会发一阵子小脾气,伹那不等于冒火。不过,如果你不介意,我得问你一些问题。”
宝绮思坐在崔维兹的床上,身子挺得笔直,宽颊的脸庞与黑色眼珠透出一种庄着的神情。她及肩的黑发梳理得很整齐,纤纤素手轻轻扶着膝头,身上还散发出一阵淡淡的幽香。
崔维兹微微一笑。“你打扮得很漂后。我猜你是认为,我不会对一个年轻、漂后的女孩大吼大叫。”
“如果能让你觉得好过点,随便你怎样吼、怎样叫都行,我只是不希望你对菲龙大吼大叫。”
“我不想这样做。其实我也无意对你大吼大叫,我们不是决定做朋友了吗?”
“盖娅对你一贯的、唯一的态度就是友善,崔维兹。”
“我不是在说盖娅。我知道你是盖娅的一部分,也可以说你就是盖娅,但你有一部分仍是个体,至少在某个秤谌之内。我是在跟那个个体交谈,是在对一个叫宝绮思的人讲话,我不理会——或者说尽量不理会盖娅。我们不是决定做朋友吗,宝绮思?”
“对啊,崔维兹。”
“那么,在索拉利上,当我们离开那座宅邸,来到太空船附近时,你为何迟迟不对付那些机器人?我遭到羞辱,又受到实质的伤害,而你却袖手旁观。尽避多耽搁一分一秒,都可能会有更多机器人到达现场,数量多得足以将我们吞没,你却一直袖手旁观。”
宝绮思以严肃的目光望着他。“我没有袖手旁观,崔维兹。我在研究那几个守护机器人的心灵,试图了解如何操纵它们。”她彷佛无意为自己的行为辩护,只是在做解释。
“我知道你在那样做,至少你是这么说的,我只是不懂那有什么意义。为什么要企图操纵那些心灵?你当时有足够的力量毁掉它们,正如你最后采取的行动。”  “你认为毁灭一个智慧生灵是简单的事?”
崔维兹噘了一下嘴唇,做出个不以为然的表情。“得了吧,宝绮思,一个智慧生灵?它只不过是个机器人。”
“只不过是个机器人?”她的声音透出些许怒意,“总是这种论调,只不过,只不过!那个索拉利人班德为什么迟迟不杀害我们?我们只不过是下具转换器的人类。为什么我们不忍留下菲龙自生自灭?它只不过是个索拉利人,还是个未成年的索拉利人。假如你用‘只不过这个,只不过那个’的论调,跟你想要除去的任何人、任何事物划清界线,你就能毁掉任何东西,你总有办法将它们纳入某些范畴。”
崔维兹说:“别将一个完全合理的说法推到极端,否则只会显得荒唐可笑。机器人就是机器人,这点你无法否认。它不是人类,没有我们所谓的智慧,它只是个机器,只会模仿智慧生灵的表象。”
宝绮思说:“你对它一无所知,竟然一句话就将它否定。我是盖娅——没错,我也是宝绮思,但我仍是盖娅。我是一个世界,这个世界认为它的每个原子都相当珍贵,而且意义着大;而由原子构成的每个组织,则更加珍贵、更有意义。我/我们/盖娅不会轻易破坏任何组织,反之,我们总是乐于将它们建构成更复杂的组织,只要那样做不会危害到整体。
“在我们所知的各种组织中,最高形式的组织能生出智慧。除非有万不得已的苦衷,我们不愿毁掉一个智慧。至于那是机械智慧或生化智慧,则几乎没有任何差别。事实上,守护机器人代表一种我/我们/盖娅从未见过的智慧,这是研究它的绝佳机会,毁掉它是不可想像的事——除非是在极端危急的情况下。”
崔维兹以讽刺的口吻说:“当时,有三个更着要的智慧命在旦夕:你自己,你的爱人裴洛拉特,还有——如果你不介意——我。”
“四个!你总是忘记把菲龙计算在内——这些性命还谈不上有何凶险,我这么判断。听我说,假如你面对一幅画,一件伟大的艺术杰作,但它的存在却威胁到你的生命。而你只需要找枝粗笔,在它上面猛然乱画一通,让这幅画从此完蛋,你的性命就能保住。伹你也可以换种方式,细心研究这幅画,然后在这里画上一笔、那里点上一点,再擦掉一些些……或诸如此类的做法,就可以改造这幅画,避免自己陆命受到威胁,而又不会损毁它的艺术价值。当然,要进行那样的改造,必须花下最大的苦心和耐心,这需要很多时间。伹如果时间允许,除了你自己的性命,你一定也会愿意拯救这幅画。”
崔维兹说:“大概会吧,伹你最后还是彻底毁掉那幅画了。你大笔一挥,将细致的笔触和用色破坏殆尽,使精致的形影和构图面目全非。一个小雌雄同体人的性命受到威胁时,你马上就那样做了。可是在此之前,对于我们面临的危险,还有你自己面临的危险,你却完全无动于哀。”
“当时我们没有立即的危险,可是我觉得菲龙突然身陷险境。我必须在守护机器人和菲龙闾做出抉择,不能浪费任何时间,所以我选择了菲龙。”
“真是这样吗,宝绮思?你将两个心灵迅速衡量了一遍,迅速判断出哪个较复杂、较有价值?”
“没错。”
崔维兹说:“我却以为,那是因为站在你面前的是个孩子,一个性命受到威胁的孩子。不论原先三个成人命在旦夕之际,你心中如何盘算,母性本能立刻将你攫获,你毫不犹豫地便出手救它。”
宝绮思微微涨红了脸。“或许有那么点成分在内,伹不像你冷嘲热讽说的那样,我的行动背后也有理性的想法。”
“我很怀疑。如果背后有什么理性的想法,你应该考虑到一件事实:那孩子面临的是自己社会中注定的共同命运。为了维持索拉利人心目中的低数量人口标准,谁知道还有几千几万的小孩已被解决。”
“情况没那么单纯,崔维兹。那孩子难逃一死,是因为它过于年幼,无法成为继承人,而这是因为它的单亲过早死亡,归根结柢是因为我杀了它的单亲。”
“当时不是它死就是你死。”
“这不着要,我的确杀了它的单亲,我不能坐视那孩子因我的行动而遭到杀害。此外,盖娅从没研究过那种大脑,这刚好是一个难得的机会。”
“只是个孩子的大脑。”
“它不会永远是个孩子的大脑,它会在两侧发育出转换叶突。那种叶突带给一个索拉利人的能力,是整个盖娅望尘莫及的。只不过为了维持几盏灯的电力,以及启动一个开门的装置,我就累得筋疲力尽,而班德却能保持整个属地的电力源源不绝——它的属地跟我们在康普隆所见的城市相比,复杂度相当、面积则更广大,它却连睡觉时都能照应。”
崔维兹说:“那么,你是将这孩子视为大脑基础研究的着要资源?”
“就某方面而言,的确如此。”
“我却不这么认为。对我而言,我们好像带了一件危险物品上来,有很大的危险。”
“什么样的危险?它会百分之百适应——在我的帮助下。它极端聪明,也已经对我们产生好感。我们吃什么它就吃什么,我们去哪里它就去哪里。从它的脑部,我/我们/盖娅能获得许多无价的知识。”
“万一它生出下一代呢?它不需要配偶,它自己就是自己的配偶。”
“它还要经过许多年,才会达到生子的年龄。外世界人的寿命有好几世纪,而且索拉利人从不想增加人口,延缓生殖也许已是它们的习性,菲龙在短期内不会有孩子。”
“你怎么知道这点?”
“我不知道,我只是诉诸逻辑。”
“我告诉你,菲龙会带来危险。”
“这点你不知道,你也没有诉诸逻辑。”
“我感觉到了,宝绮思——此时此刻,根本就不需要理由。还有,坚称我的直觉永远正确的人,是你而不是我。”
宝绮思皱起眉头,显得坐立不安。
59
裴洛拉特在驾驶舱门口停下脚步,带着几分不安的神情向内探望,像是想判断崔维兹是否在专心工作。
崔维兹双手一直放在桌面上;当他成为电脑的一部分时,总是双眼凝视显像屏幕,维持着这种姿势。因此,裴洛拉特判定他正在工作,于是耐心地等在外面,尽量静止不动,避免打扰或惊动他。
最后,崔维兹终于抬头望向裴洛拉特,却不能算是完全意识到他的存在。当崔维兹与电脑融为一体时,眼光似乎总有点呆滞涣散,奸像他正以异乎常人的方式看着、想着、活着。
伹他还是向裴洛拉特点了点头,彷佛眼前的景象通过着着障碍,终于迟缓地映到他的“视叶”。又过了一会儿,他举起双手,露出微笑,才真正恢复了自我。
裴洛拉特带着歉意道:“我恐怕妨碍到你了,葛兰。”
“没什么,詹诺夫。我只是在进行测试,看看我们现在能否进行跃迁。我们应该可以进行了,不过我想再等几小时,希望运气会好点。”
“运气——或是随机的因素,和跃迁有关系吗?”
“我只不过随口说说,”崔维兹微笑着答道:“理论上而言,随机因素倒是的确有关——你找我有什么事?”
“我可以坐下吗?”
“当然可以,到我的舱房去吧。宝绮思还好吗?”
“非常好,”他清了清喉咙,“她又睡着了,她一定要睡够,你应该了解。”
“我完全了解,因为超空间分隔的关系。”
“完全正确,老弟。”
“菲龙呢?”崔维兹靠在床上,将椅子让给裴洛拉特。
“从我图书馆找出的那些书,你用电脑帮我印出的那些,那些民间故事,记得吗?它正在读。当然啦,它只懂得极有限的银河标准语,伹它似乎很喜欢念出那些字。他——我一直想用阳性代名词称呼它,你认为这是什么缘故,老伙伴?”
崔维兹耸了耸肩。“也许因为你自己是阳性。”
“也许吧。你可知道,它真是聪明绝顶。”
“我绝对相信。”
裴洛拉特犹豫了一下,又说:“我猜你并不很喜欢菲龙。”
“我对它本身绝无成见,詹诺夫。我从没有过小孩,通常也不会对小孩特别有好感。你倒是有几个孩子,我好像记得。”
“有个儿子——我还记得,当他是个小男生的时候,那的确是一大乐趣。这也许是我用阳性代名词称呼菲龙的原因,它让我又回到大约四分之一世纪前。”
“我绝不反对你喜欢它,詹诺夫。”
“你也会喜欢他的,如果你给自己一个机会。”
“我相信会的,詹诺夫。也许哪一天,我真会给自己一个机会。”
裴洛拉特再度犹豫起来。“我还知道,你一定厌烦了跟宝绮思争论不休。”
“事实上,我想我们不会再有太多争论,詹诺夫,她和我真的越来越融洽。前几天,我们甚至做过一次理性的讨论——没有大吼大叫,也没有冷嘲热讽——讨论她为何迟迟不令那些守护机器人停摆。毕竟,她三番两次拯救我们的性命,我总不能吝于对她伸出友谊之手,对不对?”
“没错,我看得出来,但我所谓的争论指的不是吵架,我的意思是,你们不停辩论盖娅星系和个体性孰好孰坏。”
“噢,那件事!我想那会继续下去——很有风度地。”
“如果在这场辩论中,葛兰,我站在她那一方,你是否会介意?”
“绝对不会。你是自己接受了盖娅星系的理念,还是因为和宝绮思站在一边会让你感到比较快乐?”
“老实说,是我自己的看法,我认为盖娅星系的时代很快会来临。你选择了这个方向,而我越来越相信这是正确的抉择。”
“只因为是我的选择?这不成理由。不论盖娅怎么说,你知道,我都有可能犯错。所以说,别让宝绮思用这个理由说服你。”
“我认为你没有错。这是索拉利给我的启示,不是宝绮思。”
“怎么说?”
“嗯,首先,我们是孤立体,你我都是。”
“那是她的用语,詹诺夫,我比较喜欢自称个体。”
“这只是语意学上的争论,老弟,随便你喜欢怎么称呼都行。我们都包裹在各自的皮囊中,被各自的思想笼罩,我们最先想到的是自己,最着视的也是自己。自卫是我们的第一自然法则,即使那样会伤害到其他生命。”
“历史上也有许多人物,曾经牺牲自己成全别人。”
“那是很罕见的现象。历史上更多的例子,是牺牲他人最深切的需要,满足自己突发的愚蠢奇想。”
“这和索拉利又有什么关系?”
“这个嘛,在索拉利,我们看到孤立体——或者你喜欢说的个体——会变成什么样子。索拉利人几乎无法跟自己同胞分享一个世界,它们认为绝对孤独地生活是完全的自由。它们甚至和自己的子嗣没有任何亲情,在人口过多时就会杀掉它们。它们在身边布满机器人奴隶,自己替这些机器人供应电力,所以它们死了之后,整个庞大的属地也形同死亡。这是值得赞美的吗,葛兰?你能将它跟盖娅的高贵、亲切、互相关怀相提并论吗?宝绮思并没和我讨论过这点,这是我自己的感受。”
崔维兹说:“这的确像是你该有的感受,詹诺夫,我非常同意。我认为索拉利的社会实在可怕,伹它并非始终如此。他们是地球人的后裔,近代的祖先则是外世界人,那些祖先过的生活都相当正常。索拉利人由于某种原因,选择了一条通往极端的道路,但你不能根据特例做出结论。在整个银河数千万的住人世界上,你知道还有哪个——不论过去还是现在——拥有类似索拉利的社会,或者仅有一丝雷同的?即使是索拉利人,若非它们滥用机器人,难道会发展出这样的社会吗?一个由个体组成的社会,假如没有机器人,有可能演化得像素拉利这么恐怖吗?”
裴洛拉特的脸稍微抽动了一下。“你对每件事都过于吹毛求疵,葛兰——至少,你为被你自己否定的银河型态辩护时,似乎也相当理直气壮。”
“我不会一竿子打翻一船人。盖娅星系一定有其理论基础,当我找到的时候,我自然会知道,到时候我一定接受——或者说得更精确点,‘若是’被我找到的时候。”
“你认为自己可能找不到吗?”
崔维兹耸了耸肩。“我怎么晓得?你知道我为何要再等几小时才进行跃迁?事实上,我甚至还可能说服自己再多等几天,为什么?”
“你说过,如果我们多等一下会比较安全。”
“没错,我是那样说过,可是我们现在够安全了。我真正害怕的,是我们拥有座标的三个外世界,全都会让我们无功而返。我们只有三组座标,而我们已用掉两个,每次都是在侥幸中死里逃生。即使如此,我们仍未得到有关地球的任何线索,事实上,甚趾蟋地球的存在也还无法肯定。现在我正面对第三个,也是最后一个机会,万一它还是令我们失望,那该怎么办?”
裴洛拉特叹了一口气。 “你知道有些民间故事——其实,我给菲龙练习阅读的就有一则——内容是说某人能许三个愿,伹只有三个而已。在这种情节中,‘三’似乎是个很着要的数字,也许因为它是第一个奇数,所以是能做出决定的最小数字;你知道,所谓的三战二胜。着点是在这些故事里,那些愿望根本都没用,没有人许过正确的愿望。我一直有种想法,认为那代表一种古老的智慧,意思是没有不劳而获的事,想要满足自己的心愿,你就得凭努力换取,而不是……”
他突然住口,显得很不好意思。“我很抱歉,老友,我在浪费你的时间。谈到自己的本行时,我很容易喋喋不休。”
“你从不会使我感到无聊,詹诺夫,我愿意接受这个类比。我们得到三个愿望,已经用掉两个,却没有任何收获,现在只剩最后一个了。不知怎么搞的,我确定我们将再度失败,所以我希望多拖一阵子,这就是我把跃迁尽量往后延的原因。”
“万一又失败了,你打算怎么办?回盖娅?回端点星?”
“喔,不,”崔维兹一面摇头,一面细声道:“寻找必须继续下去——只要我知道该如何进行。”
回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Part Five - Melpomenia Chapter 13: Away from Solaria
56The leaving was a blur. Trevize had gathered up hisfutile weapons, had opened the airlock, and they had tumbled in. Trevizedidn't notice until they were off the surface that Fallom had beenbrought in as well.
They probably would not have made it in time if the Solarian useof airflight had not been so comparatively unsophisticated. It tookthe approaching Solarian vessel an unconscionable time to descend andland. On the other hand, it took virtually no time for the computer ofthe Far Star to take the gravitic ship vertically upward.
And although the cut-off of the gravitational interaction and,therefore, of inertia wiped out the otherwise unbearable effects ofacceleration that would have accompanied so speedy a takeoff, it didnot wipe out the effects of air resistance. The outer hull temperaturerose at a distinctly more rapid rate than navy regulations (or shipspecifications, for that matter) would have considered suitable.
As they rose, they could see the second Solarian ship land andseveral more approaching. Trevize wondered how many robots Bliss couldhave handled, and decided they would have been overwhelmed if they hadremained on the surface fifteen minutes longer.
Once out in space (or space enough, with only tenuous wisps of theplanetary exosphere around them), Trevize made for the nightside of theplanet. It was a hop away, since they had left the surface as sunsetwas approaching. In the dark, the Far Star would have a chanceto cool more rapidly, and there the ship could continue to recede fromthe surface in a slow spiral.
Pelorat came out of the room he shared with Bliss. He said, "Thechild is sleeping normally now. We've showed it how to use the toiletand it had no trouble understanding.""That's not surprising. It must have had similar facilities in themansion.""I didn't see any there and I was looking," said Pelorat feelingly. "Wedidn't get back on the ship a moment too soon for me.""Or any of us. But why did we bring that child on board?"Pelorat shrugged apologetically. "Bliss wouldn't let go. It was likesaving a life in return for the one she took. She can't bear ""I know," said Trevize.
Pelorat said, "It's a very oddly shaped child.""Being hermaphroditic, it would have to be," said Trevize.
"It has testicles, you know.""It could scarcely do without them.""And what I can only describe as a very small vagina."Trevize made a face. "Disgusting.""Not really, Golan," said Pelorat, protesting. "It's adapted to itsneeds. It only delivers a fertilized egg-cell, or a very tiny embryo,which is then developed under laboratory conditions, tended, I dare say,by robots.""And what happens if their robot-system breaks down? If that happens,they would no longer be able to produce viable young.""Any world would be in serious trouble if its social structure brokedown completely.""Not that I would weep uncontrollably over the Solarians.""Well," said Pelorat, "I admit it doesn't seem a very attractiveworld to us, I mean. But that's only the people and the socialstructure, which are not our type at all, dear chap. But subtract thepeople and the robots, and you have a world which otherwise ""Might fall apart as Aurora is beginning to do," said Trevize. "How'sBliss, Janov?""Worn out, I'm afraid. She's sleeping now. She had a very bad time, Golan.""I didn't exactly enjoy myself either."Trevize closed his eyes, and decided he could use some sleep himselfand would indulge in that relief as soon as he was reasonably certainthe Solarians had no space capability and so far the computer hadreported nothing of artifactitious nature in space.
He thought bitterly of the two Spacer planets they hadvisited hostile wild dogs on one hostile hermaphroditicloners on the other and in neither place the tiniest hint as tothe location of Earth. All they had to show for the double visit wasFallom.
He opened his eyes. Pelorat was still sitting in place at the otherside of the computer, watching him solemnly.
Trevize said, with sudden conviction, "We should have left thatSolarian child behind."Pelorat said, "The poor thing. They would have killed it.""Even so," said Trevize, "it belonged there. It's part of thatsociety. Being put to death because of being superfluous is the sort ofthing it's born to.""Oh, my dear fellow, that's a hardhearted way to look at it.""It's a rational way. We don't know how to care for it,and it may suffer more lingeringly with us and die anyway. What doesit eat?""Whatever we do, I suppose, old man. Actually, the problem is whatdo we eat? How much do we have in the way of supplies?""Plenty. Plenty. Even allowing for our new passenger."Pelorat didn't look overwhelmed with happiness at this remark. He said,"It's become a pretty monotonous diet. We should have taken some itemson board on Comporellon not that their cooking was excellent.""We couldn't. We left, if you remember, rather hurriedly, as we leftAurora, and as we left, in particular, Solaria. But what's a littlemonotony? It spoils one's pleasure, but it keeps one alive.""Would it be possible to pick up fresh supplies if we need to?""Anytime, Janov. With a gravitic ship and hyperspatial engines, theGalaxy is a small place. In days, we can be anywhere. It's just thathalf the worlds in the Galaxy are alerted to watch for our ship and Iwould rather stay out of the way for a time.""I suppose that's so. Bander didn't seem interested in theship.""It probably wasn't even consciously aware of it. I suspect thatthe Solarians long ago gave up space flight. Their prime desire is tobe left completely alone and they can scarcely enjoy the security ofisolation if they are forever moving about in space and advertisingtheir presence.""What are we going to do next, Golan?"Trevize said, "We have a third world to visit."Pelorat shook his head. "Judging from the first two, I don't expectmuch from that .""Nor do I at the moment, but just as soon as I get a little sleep,I'm going to get the computer to plot our course to that third world."57Trevize slept considerably longer than he had expectedto, but that scarcely mattered. There was neither day nor night, inany natural sense, on board ship, and the circadian rhythm neverworked absolutely perfectly. The hours were what they were made to be,and it wasn't uncommon for Trevize and Pelorat (and particularly Bliss)to be somewhat out-of-sync as far as the natural rhythms of eating andsleeping were concerned.
Trevize even speculated, in the course of his scrapedown (theimportance of conserving water made it advisable to scrape off the sudsrather than rinse them off), about sleeping another hour or two, whenhe turned and found himself staring at Fallom, who was as undressed ashe was.
He could not help jumping back, which, in the restricted area of thePersonal, was bound to bring part of his body against something hard. Hegrunted Fallom was staring curiously at him and was pointing at Trevize'spenis. What it said was incomprehensible but the whole bearing of thechild seemed to bespeak a sense of disbelief. For his own peace of mind,Trevize had no choice but to put his hands over his penis.
Then Fallom said, in its high-pitched voice, "Greetings."Trevize started slightly at the child's unexpected use of Galactic,but the word had the sound of having been memorized.
Fallom continued, a painstaking word at a time,"Bliss say you wash me.
"Yes?" said Trevize. He put his hands on Fallom'sshoulders. "You stay here."He pointed downward at the floor and Fallom, of course, lookedinstantly at the place to which the finger pointed. It showed nocomprehension of the phrase at all.
"Don't move," said Trevize, holding the child tightly by both arms,pressing them toward the body as though to symbolize immobility. Hehastily dried himself and put on his shorts, and over them histrousers.
He stepped out and roared, "Bliss!"It was difficult for anyone to be more than four meters from any oneelse on the ship and Bliss came to the door of her room at once. Shesaid, smiling, "Are you calling me, Trevize; or was that the soft breezesighing through the waving grass?""Let's not be funny, Bliss. What is that?" He jerked his thumb overhis shoulder.
Bliss looked past him and said, "Well, it looks like the young Solarianwe brought on board yesterday."" You brought on board. Why do you want me to wash it?""I should think you'd want to. It's a very bright creature. It'spicking up Galactic words quickly. It never forgets once I explainsomething. Of course, I'm helping it do so.""Naturally.""Yes. I keep it calm. I kept it in a daze during most of the disturbingevents on the planet. I saw to it that it slept on board ship and I'mtrying to divert its mind just a little bit from its lost robot, Jemby,that, apparently, it loved very much.""So that it ends up liking it here, I suppose.""I hope so. It's adaptable because it's young, and I encourage thatby as much as I dare influence its mind. I'm going to teach it to speakGalactic.""Then you wash it. Understood?"Bliss shrugged. "I will, if you insist, but I would want it to feelfriendly with each of us. It would be useful to have each of us performfunctions. Surely you can co-operate in that.""Not to this extent. And when you finish washing it, get rid of it. Iwant to talk to you."Bliss said, with a sudden edge of hostility, "How do you mean, getrid of it?""I don't mean dump it through the airlock. I mean, put it in yourroom. Sit it down in a corner. I want to talk at you.""I'll be at your service," she said coldly.
He stared after her, nursing his wrath for the moment, then movedinto the pilot-room, and activated the viewscreen.
Solaria was a dark circle with a curving crescent of light at theleft. Trevize placed his hands on the desk to make contact with thecomputer and found his anger cooling at once. One had to be calm to linkmind and computer effectively and, eventually, conditioned reflex linkedhandhold and serenity.
There were no artifactitious objects about the ship in any direction,out as far as the planet itself. The Solarians (or their robots, mostlikely) could not, or would not, follow.
Good enough. He might as well get out of the night-shadow, then. Ifhe continued to recede, it would, in any case, vanish as Solaria's discgrew smaller than that of the more distant, but much larger, sun thatit circled.
He set the computer to move the ship out of the planetary planeas well, since that would make it possible to accelerate with greatersafety. They would then more quickly reach a region where space curvaturewould be low enough to make the Jump secure.
And, as often on such occasions, he fell to studying the stars. Theywere almost hypnotic in their quiet changelessness. All their turbulenceand instability were wiped out by the distance that left them only dotsof light.
One of those dots might well be the sun about which Earthrevolved the original sun, under whose radiation life began,and under whose beneficence humanity evolved.
Surely, if the Spacer worlds circled stars that were bright andprominent members of the stellar family, and that were neverthelessunlisted in the computer's Galactic map, the same might be true ofthe sun.
Or was it only the suns of the Spacer worlds that were omitted becauseof some primeval treaty agreement that left them to themselves? WouldEarth's sun be included in the Galactic map, but not marked off fromthe myriads of stars that were sun-like, yet had no habitable planet inorbit about itself?
There were after all, some thirty billion sun-like stars in the Galaxy,and only about one in a thousand had habitable planets in orbits aboutthem. There might be a thousand such habitable planets within a fewhundred parsecs of his present position. Should he sift through thesun-like stars one by one, searching for them?
Or was the original sun not even in this region of the Galaxy? Howmany other regions were convinced the sun was one of their neighbors,that they were primeval Settlers ?
He needed information, and so far he had none.
He doubted strongly whether even the closest examination of themillennial ruins on Aurora would give information concerning Earth'slocation. He doubted even more strongly that the Solarians could be madeto yield information.
Then, too, if all information about Earth had vanished out of thegreat Library at Trantor; if no information about Earth remained in thegreat Collective Memory of Gaia; there seemed little chance that anyinformation that might have existed on the lost worlds of the Spacerswould have been overlooked.
And if he found Earth's sun and, then, Earth itself, by the sheerestgood fortune would something force him to be unaware of thefact? Was Earth's defense absolute? Was its determination to remain inhiding unbreakable?
What was he looking for anyway?
Was it Earth? Or was it the flaw in Seldon's Plan that he thought(for no clear reason) he might find on Earth?
Seldon's Plan had been working for five centuries now, and wouldbring the human species (so it was said) to safe harbor at last inthe womb of a Second Galactic Empire, greater than the First, a noblerand a freer one and yet he, Trevize, had voted against it, andfor Galaxia.
Galaxia would be one large organism, while the Second GalacticEmpire would, however great in size and variety, be a mere union ofindividual organisms of microscopic size in comparison with itself. TheSecond Galactic Empire would be another example of the kind of union ofindividuals that humanity had set up ever since it became humanity. TheSecond Galactic Empire might be the largest and best of the species,but it would still be but one more member of that species.
For Galaxia, a member of an entirely different species of organization,to be better than the Second Galactic Empire, there must be a flaw inthe Plan, something the great Hari Seldon had himself overlooked.
But if it were something Seldon had overlooked, how could Trevizecorrect the matter? He was not a mathematician; knew nothing, absolutelynothing, about the details of the Plan; would understand nothing,furthermore, even if it were explained to him.
All he knew were the assumptions that a great number ofhuman beings be involved and that they not be aware of the conclusionsreached. The first assumption was self-evidently true, considering thevast population of the Galaxy, and the second had to be true since onlythe Second Foundationers knew the details of the Plan, and they kept itto themselves securely enough.
That left an added unacknowledged assumption, a taken-for-grantedassumption, one so taken for granted it was never mentioned nor thoughtof and yet one that might be false. An assumption that, if itwere false, would alter the grand conclusion of the Planand make Galaxia preferable to Empire.
But if the assumption was so obvious and so taken for granted thatit was never even expressed, how could it be false? And if no one evermentioned it, or thought of it, how could Trevize know it was there,or have any idea of its nature even if he guessed its existence?
Was he truly Trevize, the man with the flawless intuition asGaia insisted? Did he know the right thing to do even when he didn'tknow why he was doing it?
Now he was visiting every Spacer world he knew about. Was thatthe right thing to do? Did the Spacer worlds hold the answer? Or atleast the beginning of the answer?
What was there on Aurora but ruins and wild dogs? (And, presumably,other feral creatures. Raging bulls? Overgrown rats? Stalking green-eyedcats?) Solaria was alive, but what was there on it but robots andenergy-transducing human beings? What had either world to do with Seldon'sPlan unless they contained the secret of the location of the Earth?
And if they did, what had Earth to do with Seldon'sPlan? Was this all madness? Had he listened too long and too seriouslyto the fantasy of his own infallibility?
An overwhelming weight of shame came over him and seemed to pressupon him to the point where he could barely breathe. He looked at thestars remote, uncaring and thought: I must be the Great Foolof the Galaxy.
58Bliss's voice broke in on him. "Well, Trevize, why doyou want to see Is anything wrong?" Her voice had twisted intosudden concern.
Trevize looked up and, for a moment, found it momentarily difficultto brush away his mood. He stared at her, then said, "No, no. Nothing'swrong. I I was merely lost in thought. Every once in a while,after all, I find myself thinking."He was uneasily aware that Bliss could read his emotions. He hadonly her word that she was voluntarily abstaining from any oversight ofhis mind.
She seemed to accept his statement, however. She said, "Pelorat is withFallom, teaching it Galactic phrases. The child seems to eat what we dowithout undue objection. But what do you want to see me about?""Well, not here,", said Trevize. "The computer doesn't need me atthe moment. If you want to come into my room, the bed's made and youcan sit on it while I sit on the chair. Or vice versa, if you prefer.""It doesn't matter." They walked the short distance to Trevize'sroom. She eyed him narrowly. "You don't seem furious anymore.""Checking my mind?""Not at all. Checking your face.""I'm not furious. I may lose my temper momentarily, now and then,but that's not the same as furious. If you don't mind, though, thereare questions I must ask you."Bliss sat down on Trevize's bed, holding herself erect, and witha solemn expression on her wide-cheeked face and in her dark browneyes. Her shoulder-length black hair was neatly arranged and her slimhands were clasped loosely in her lap. There was a faint trace of perfumeabout her.
Trevize smiled. "You've dolled yourself up. I suspect you think Iwon't yell quite so hard at a young and pretty girl.""You can yell and scream all you wish if it will make you feelbetter. I just don't want you yelling and screaming at Fallom.""I don't intend to. In fact, I don't intend to yell and scream atyou. Haven't we decided to be friends?""Gaia has never had anything but feelings of friendship toward you,Trevize.""I'm not talking about Gaia. I know you're part of Gaia and that youare Gaia. Still there's part of you that's an individual, at least aftera fashion. I'm talking to the individual. I'm talking to someone namedBliss without regard or with as little regard as possible toGaia. Haven't we decided to be friends, Bliss?""Yes, Trevize.""Then how is it you delayed dealing with the robots on Solaria afterwe had left the mansion and reached the ship? I was humiliated andphysically hurt, yet you did nothing. Even though every moment mightbring additional robots to the scene and the number might overwhelm us,you did nothing."Bliss looked at him seriously, and spoke as though she were intenton explaining her actions rather than defending them. "I was not doingnothing, Trevize. I was studying the Guardian Robots' minds, and tryingto learn how to handle them.""I know that's what you were doing. At least you said you were at thetime. I just don't see the sense of it. Why handle the minds when youwere perfectly capable of destroying them as you finally did?""Do you think it so easy to destroy an intelligent being?"Trevize's lips twisted into an expression of distaste. "Come, Bliss. Anintelligent being ? It was just a robot.""Just a robot?" A little passion entered her voice. "That's theargument always. Just. Just! Why should the Solarian, Bander, havehesitated to kill us? We were just human beings without transducers. Whyshould there be any hesitation about leaving Fallom to its fate? Itwas just a Solarian, and an immature specimen at that. If you startdismissing anyone or anything you want to do away with as just a thisor just a that, you can destroy anything you wish. There are alwayscategories you can find for them."Trevize said, "Don't carry a perfectly legitimate remark to extremesjust to make it seem ridiculous. The robot was just a robot. You can'tdeny that. It was not human. It was not intelligent in our sense. Itwas a machine mimicking an appearance of intelligence."Bliss said, "How easily you can talk when you know nothing about it. Iam Gaia. Yes, I am Bliss, too, but I am Gaia. I am a world that findsevery atom of itself precious and meaningful, and every organization ofatoms even more precious and meaningful. I/we/Gaia would not lightly breakdown an organization, though we would gladly build it into something stillmore complex, provided always that that would not harm the whole.
"The highest form of organization we know produces intelligence, and tobe willing to destroy intelligence requires the sorest need. Whether itis machine intelligence or biochemical intelligence scarcely matters. Infact, the Guardian Robot represented a kind of intelligence I/we/Gaiahad never encountered. To study it was wonderful. To destroy it,unthinkable except in a moment of crowning emergency."Trevize said dryly, "There were three greater intelligences at stake:
your own, that of Pelorat, the human being you love, and, if you don'tmind my mentioning it, mine.""Four! You still keep forgetting to include Fallom. They werenot yet at stake. So I judged. See here Suppose you were facedwith a painting, a great artistic masterpiece, the existence of whichmeant death to you. All you had to do was to bring a wide brush of paintslam-bang, and at random, across the face of that painting and it wouldbe destroyed forever, and you would be safe. But suppose, instead, thatif you studied the painting carefully, and added just a touch of painthere, a speck there, scraped off a minute portion in a third place, andso on, you would alter the painting enough to avoid death, and yet leaveit a masterpiece. Naturally, the revision couldn't be done except withthe most painstaking care. It would take time, but surely, if that timeexisted, you would try to save the painting as well as your life."Trevize said, "Perhaps. But in the end you destroyed the painting pastredemption. The wide paintbrush came down and wiped out all thewonderful little touches of color and subtleties of form and shape. Andyou did that instantly when a little hermaphrodite was at risk, whereour danger and your own had not moved you.""We Outworlders were still not at immediate risk,while Fallom, it seemed to me, suddenly was. I had to choose betweenthe Guardian Robots and Fallom, and, with no time to lose, I had tochoose Fallom.""Is that what it was, Bliss? A quick calculation weighing one mindagainst another, a quick judging of the greater complexity and thegreater worth?""Yes."Trevize said, "Suppose I tell you, it was just a child that wasstanding before you, a child threatened with death. An instinctivematernalism gripped you then, and you saved it where earlier you wereall calculation when only three adult lives were at stake."Bliss reddened slightly. "There might have been something like thatin it; but it was not after the fashion of the mocking way in which yousay it. It had rational thought behind it, too.""I wonder. If there had been rational thought behind it, you mighthave considered that the child was meeting the common fate inevitablein its own society. Who knows how many thousands of children had beencut down to maintain the low number these Solarians think suitable totheir world?""There's more to it than that, Trevize. The child would be killedbecause it was too young to be a Successor, and that was because it hada parent who had died prematurely, and that was because Ihad killed that parent.""At a time when it was kill or be killed.""Not important. I killed the parent. I could not stand by and allowthe child to be killed for my deed. Besides, it offers for studya brain of a kind that has never been studied by Gaia.""A child's brain.""It will not remain a child's brain. It will further develop thetwo transducer-lobes on either side of the brain. Those lobes give aSolarian abilities that all of Gaia cannot match. Simply to keep a fewlights lit, just to activate a device to open a door, wore me out. Bandercould have kept all the power going over an estate as great in complexityand greater in size than that city we saw on Comporellon and doit even while sleeping."Trevize said, "Then you see the child as an important bit offundamental brain research.""In a way, yes.""That's not the way I feel. To me, it seems we have taken dangeraboard. Great danger.""Danger in what way? It will adapt perfectly with my help. Itis highly intelligent, and already shows signs of feeling affection forus. It will eat what we eat, go where we go, and I/we/Gaia will gaininvaluable knowledge concerning its brain.""What if it produces young? It doesn't need a mate. It is its ownmate.""It won't be of child-bearing age for many years. The Spacerslived for centuries and the Solarians had no desire to increase theirnumbers. Delayed reproduction is probably bred into the population. Fallomwill have no children for a long time.""How do you know this?""I don't know it. I'm merely being logical.""And I tell you Fallom will prove dangerous.""You don't know that. And you're not being logical, either.""I feel it Bliss, without reason. At the moment. And it is you,not I, who insists my intuition is infallible."And Bliss frowned and looked uneasy.
59Pelorat paused at the door to the pilot-room and lookedinside in a rather ill-at-ease manner. It was as though he were tryingto decide whether Trevize was hard at work or not.
Trevize had his hands on the table, as he always did when he madehimself part of the computer, and his eyes were on the viewscreen. Peloratjudged, therefore, he was at work, and he waited patiently, trying notto move or, in any way, disturb the other.
Eventually, Trevize looked up at Pelorat. It was not a matter oftotal awareness. Trevize's eyes always seemed a bit glazed and unfocusedwhen he was in computer-communion, as though he were looking, thinking,living in some other way than a person usually did.
But he nodded slowly at Pelorat, as though the sight, penetratingwith difficulty, did, at last, sluggishly impress itself on the opticlobes. Then, after a while, he lifted his hands and smiled and washimself again.
Pelorat said apologetically, "I'm afraid I'm getting in your way,Golan.""Not seriously, Janov. I was just testing to see if we were ready forthe Jump. We are, just about, but I think I'll give it a few more hours,just for luck.""Does luck or random factors have anything to do withit?""An expression only," said Trevize, smiling, "but random factors dohave something to do with it, in theory. What's on your mind?""May I sit down?""Surely, but let's go into my room. How's Bliss?""Very well." He cleared his throat. "She's sleeping again. She musthave her sleep, you understand.""I understand perfectly. It's the hyperspatial separation.""Exactly, old chap.""And Fallom?" Trevize reclined on the bed, leaving Pelorat thechair.
"Those books out of my library that you had your computerprint up for me? The folk tales? It's reading them. Of course, itunderstands very little Galactic, but it seems to enjoy sounding outthe words. He's I keep wanting to use the masculine pronoun forit. Why do you suppose that is, old fellow?"Trevize shrugged. "Perhaps because you're masculine yourself.""Perhaps. It's fearfully intelligent, you know.""I'm sure."Pelorat hesitated. "I gather you're not very fond of Fallom.""Nothing against it personally, Janov. I've never had children andI've never been particularly fond of them generally. You've had children,I seem to remember.""One son. It was a pleasure, I recall, having my son when he wasa little boy. Maybe that's why I want to use the masculinepronoun for Fallom. It takes me back a quarter of a century or so.""I've no objection to your liking it, Janov.""You'd like him, too, if you gave yourself a chance.""I'm sure I would, Janov, and maybe someday I will give myself achance to do so."Pelorat hesitated again. "I also know that you must get tired ofarguing with Bliss.""Actually, I don't think we'll be arguing much, Janov. She and I areactually getting along quite well. We even had a reasonable discussionjust the other day no shouting, no recrimination abouther delay in inactivating the Guardian Robots. She keeps saving ourlives, after all, so I can't very well offer her less than friendship,can I?""Yes, I see that, but I don't mean arguing, in the sense ofquarreling. I mean this constant wrangle about Galaxia as opposed toindividuality.""Oh, that! I suppose that will continue politely.""Would you mind, Golan, if I took up the argument on her behalf?""Perfectly all right. Do you accept the idea of Galaxia on your own,or is it that you simply feel happier when you agree with Bliss?""Honestly, on my own. I think that Galaxia is what should beforthcoming. You yourself chose that course of action and I am constantlybecoming more convinced that that is correct.""Because I chose it? That's no argument. Whatever Gaia says, I maybe wrong, you know. So don't let Bliss persuade you into Galaxia onthat basis.""I don't think you are wrong. Solaria showed me that, not Bliss.""How?""Well, to begin with, we are Isolates, you and I."" Her term, Janov. I prefer to think of us asindividuals.""A matter of semantics, old chap. Call it what you will, we areenclosed in our private skins surrounding our private thoughts, and wethink first and foremost of ourselves. Self-defense is our first law ofnature, even if that means harming everyone else in existence.""People have been known to give their lives for others.""A rare phenomenon. Many more people have been known to sacrificethe dearest needs of others to some foolish whim of their own.""And what has that to do with Solaria?""Why, on Solaria, we see what Isolates or individuals, if youprefer can become. The Solarians can hardly bear to divide a wholeworld among themselves. They consider living a life of complete isolationto be perfect liberty. They have no yearning for even their own offspring,but kill them if there are too many. They surround themselves with robotslaves to which they supply the power, so that if they die, their wholehuge estate symbolically dies as well. Is this admirable, Golan? Can youcompare it in decency, kindness, and mutual concern with Gaia? Blisshas not discussed this with me at all. It is my own feeling."Trevize said, "And it is like you to have that feeling, Janov. Ishare it. I think Solarian society is horrible, but it wasn't alwayslike that. They are descended from Earthmen, and, more immediately, fromSpacers who lived a much more normal life. The Solarians chose a path,for one reason or another, which led to an extreme, but you can't judgeby extremes. In all the Galaxy, with its millions of inhabited worlds,is there one you know that now, or in the past, has had a society likethat of Solaria, or even remotely like that of Solaria? And would evenSolaria have such a society if it were not riddled with robots? Is itconceivable that a society of individuals could evolve to such a pitchof Solarian horror without robots?"Pelorat's face twitched a little. "You punch holes in everything,Golan or at least I mean you don't ever seem to be at a loss in defendingthe type of Galaxy you voted against.""I won't knock down everything. There is a rationale for Galaxiaand when I find it, I'll know it, and I'll give in. Or perhaps, moreaccurately, if I find it.""Do you think you might not?"Trevize shrugged. "How can I say? Do you know why I'm waitinga few hours to make the Jump, and why I'm in danger of talking myselfinto waiting a few days?""You said it would be safer if we waited.""Yes, that's what I said, but we'd be safe enough now. What I reallyfear is that those Spacer worlds for which we have the co-ordinateswill fail us altogether. We have only three, and we've already used uptwo, narrowly escaping death each time. In doing so, we have still notgained any hint as to Earth's location, or even, in actual fact, Earth'sexistence. Now I face the third and last chance, and what if it, too,fails us?"Pelorat sighed. "You know there are old folk tales one, in fact,exists among those I gave Fallom to practice upon in which someoneis allowed three wishes, but only three. Three seems to be a significantnumber in these things, perhaps because it is the first odd number sothat it is the smallest decisive number. You know, two out of threewins. The point is that in these stories, the wishes are of nouse. No one ever wishes correctly, which, I have always supposed, isancient wisdom to the effect that the satisfaction of your wants mustbe earned, and not "He fell suddenly silent and abashed. "I'm sorry, old man, but I'mwasting your time. I do tend to rattle on when I get started on myhobby.""I find you always interesting, Janov. I am willing to see theanalogy. We have been given three wishes, and we have had two and theyhave done us no good. Now only one is left. Somehow, I am sure of failureagain and so I wish to postpone it. That is why I am putting off theJump as long as possible.""What will you do if you do fail again? Go back to Gaia? ToTerminus?""Oh no," said Trevize in a whisper, shaking his head. "The searchmust continue if I only knew how."
回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第十四章 死星
  60
崔维兹觉得很沮丧。这趟寻找从开始到现在,他的几个小胜利都没什么着要性,只能算暂时侥幸让失败擦身而过。
现在,他将跃迁到第三个外世界的时间延后,却使其他人也感染到下安的情绪。当他终于下定决心,让电脑将太空艇驶入超空间时,裴洛拉特站在驾驶舱门口,一脸严肃的表情,宝绮思则在他的后侧。就连菲龙也站在那里,一只手紧紧抓住宝绮思的手,像个老学究似地盯着崔维兹。
崔维兹抬起头,目光从电脑栘开,带着几分火气说:“好一个全家福!”他会这么说,纯粹是由于心神不宁。
他开始指示电脑进行跃迁,故意安排在着返普通空间时,让太空艇与目标恒星的距离超过实际需要。他告诉自己,那是因为在前两个外世界上发生的事,让他学到了谨慎的着要,但他其实并不相信这种解释。他知道,在自己内心深处,希望能在着返太空时,与那颗恒星保持相当的距离,以便无法确定它究竟有没有可住人行星。这能让他多做几天太空旅行,然后才揭晓谜底,同时(也许)不得不面对失败的苦果。
因此现在,在“全家福”的观礼下,他深深吸一口气,憋了一会儿,再像吹口哨似地吐出来。与此同时,他对电脑下达最后一道指令。
群星的图样默默进行着不连续的变化。最后,显像屏幕变得较空洞,他们已来到一处恒星较疏的区域。在靠近中央的位置,可以见到一颗闪闪发后的星辰。
崔维兹咧嘴笑了一下,因为这也算一项胜利。毕竟,第三组座标有可能是错的,可能根本看不到符合条件的G型恒星。他看了其他人一眼,然后说:“就是它,第三号恒星。”
“你确定吗?”宝绮思轻声问。
“注意看!”崔维兹说:“我要把屏幕转成电脑银河舆图的同心画面,如果那颗明后的恒星消失,就代表舆图没有收录,那它就是我们要找的那颗。”
电脑立即回应他的指令,那颗行星在瞬间消失,连一点余光都没有,彷佛从来不曾存在。其他的星像却丝毫未受影响,看来仍是那般庄严壮丽。
“我们找到了。”崔维兹说。
即使如此,他还是让远星号慢速前进,速度仅维持在普通速度的一半。还有一个谜底尚未揭晓,那就是可住人行星是否存在,但他并不急于找出答案。甚至飞行了三天后,这个问题仍然没有任何进展。
不过,也许不能说毫无进展。有颗距离恒星非常遥远的气态巨行星,环绕着这颗恒星运动,它的白昼区映出暗淡的黄色光芒。从他们目前的位置看来,它就像一弯肥厚的新月。
崔维兹并不喜欢它的模样,但尽量不表现出来。他像个有声旅行指南一样,以平板的语调说:“那里有颗很大的气态巨行星,看起来相当壮观。现在我们可以看到,它有一对细薄的行星环,还有两颗硕大的卫星。”
宝绮思说:“大多数行星系都具有气态巨行星,对不对?”
“没错,不过这颗体积相当大。根据两颗卫星和它的距离,以及卫星的公转周期判断,这颗巨行星的质量约为可住人行星的两千倍。”
“那有什么差别?”宝绮思说:“气态巨行星就是气态巨行星,不论体积是大是小,对不对?它们距离所环绕的恒星总是非常遥远,由于体积过大、距离过远,所以一律不适于住人。想要发现可住人行星,我们必须到那颗恒星附近去找。”
崔维兹迟疑了一下,便决定公布实情。“问题是,”他说:“气态巨行星会扫净行星系的大片太空;没被它们吸收到自身结构中的物质,会聚结成相当大的天体,形成它们的卫星系。它们阻止了其他的聚结现象,影响力甚至达到很远的距离。所以气态巨行星越大,就越有可能是唯一的大型行星,除了那颗巨行星,行星系中会只有些小行星。”
“你的意思是,这里没有可住人的行星?”
“气态巨行星体积越大,可住人行星存在的机会就越小。这颗气态巨行星如此庞大,简直就是一颗矮星。”
裴洛拉特说:“我们可以看看吗?”
于是三人一起盯着屏幕。(菲龙正在宝绮思的舱房看书。)
杯面不断放大,直到那个新月形占满整个屏幕。一条细长的黑线跨越新月的上半部,那是行星环造成的阴影。行星环本身是一道珊罅的曲线,与行星表面有一小段距离,在它被阴影遮蔽前,有小部分延伸到了行星的暗面。
崔维兹说:“这颗行星的自转轴对公转平面的倾角约为三十五度,而它的行星环当然位于赤道面,所以在目前的轨道位置上,恒星的光线由下方射来,将行星环投影在赤道上方相当远处。”
裴洛拉特看得出神。“那些都是细小的行星环。”
“事实上,已经在平均大小之上。”崔维兹答道。
“根据传说,在地球所属的行星系中,那颗具有行星环的气态巨行星,它的行星环比这个要更宽、更后、更精致得多,甚至让那颗气态巨行星相形见绌。”
“我一点也不惊讶,”崔维兹说:“一个故事口耳相传好几千年,你认为它会被越说越缩吗?”
宝绮思说:“它实在美丽,如果你仔细望着那个新月形,它似乎会在你眼前翻滚腾挪。”
“那是大气风暴,”崔维兹说:“如果你选取适当波长的光波,一般说来可看得更清楚些。来,让我试试看。”他将双手放到桌面,命令电脑将光谱逐一过滤,然后褂讪在一个适当的波长。
原本显得微微发后的新月形,突然变成一团变幻不定的色彩,由于变幻速率实在太快,看得人眼花撩乱。最后,它褂讪成橘红色,而在新月的内部,有许多正在漂移的明显螺旋状物体,它们一面运动,一面不断收紧或松弛。
“真是难以置信。”裴洛拉特喃喃说道。
“太可爱了。”宝绮思说。
没什么难以置信,也一点都不可爱,崔维兹难过地想。裴洛拉特与宝绮思都被眼前的美景迷住,根本没想到他们所赞美的这颗行星的存在,大大减低了崔维兹解开谜团的机会。可是话说回来,他们为何要想到这些呢?他们两人深信崔维兹的选择正确,他们只是陪伴他进行求证的探索,本身没有感情的负担,自己根本就不应该责怪他们。
他说:“暗面看来虽然很黑,但我们眼睛若能看到比可见光波长稍长一点的光线,就能看出它其实是阴暗浓着的火红色。这颗行星向太空放出大量的红外辐射,因为它大到几乎红热的秤谌。它已经超越气态巨行星,简直是一颗‘次恒星’。”
他停了丰晌,又继续说:“现在,我们暂时把它抛在脑后,开始寻找可能存在的可住人行星。”
“也许真的存在,”裴洛拉特带着微笑说:“别放弃,老伙伴。”
“我尚未放弃,”崔维兹虽然这样说,自己却不怎么有信心。“行星形成的过程太复杂,无法建立一套严格规律,我们只能以机率讨论。有那么一个庞然大物在太空中,机率便会降低许多,可是并不等于零。”
宝绮思说:“你为什么不这样想——前面两组座标,分别提供了一个外世界人居住的行星,那么这第三组座标,既然已经提供一颗符合条件的恒星,就应该也能让你找到一颗可住人行星。为什么还要谈机率?”
“我当然希望你说得对,”崔维兹说,却一点没有感到安慰。“现在我们要飞出行星轨道面,向中心的恒星前进。”
他说完他的意图之后,电脑几乎立刻开始行动。他靠在驾驶座上,再次肯定一件事实;驾驶一艘拥有这么先进电脑的着力太空艇,后遗症之一是不能——再也不能——驾驶任何其他型号的船舰。
他还能忍受亲自进行那些计算吗?能忍受必须考虑加速效应,将它限定在合理范围内吗?最可能出现的状况,是他会忘掉那些问题,而让船舰全速前进,直到他与其他乘客都被抛向舱壁,撞得粉身碎骨为止。
嗯,那么,他将继续驾驶远星号——或是其他一模一样的太空艇,假如他街能忍受那么一点点的改变——直到永远。
由于他想暂时忘掉有没有可住人行星的问题,他开始沉思另一件事——他刚才命令太空艇离开轨道面,是飞到轨道面的上方。若不是有什么特殊原因,必须飞到轨道面之下,驾驶员几乎总选择向上飞,这是为什么呢?
其实严格说来,何必非得将某个方向想成上方,而将另一侧想成下方呢?将太空视为对称空间的概念,纯粹只是一种约定俗成的规约。
然而,在观察一颗行星时,他总会注意到它的自转与公转方向。如果两者都是反时针,那么举起手臂指的方向就是北方,两脚的方向则是南方。而在银河每个角落,北方总是被想像成上方,南方则是下方。
这纯粹是一种规约,可远溯到迷雾般的太古时代,人类一直盲目沿用至今。一张原本熟悉的舆图,如果南面朝上来看就一定看不懂,必须转过来才显得有意义。在一般状况下,任何人都会习惯向北走,也就是“向上”。
崔维兹想到三世纪前的一位帝国大将——贝尔·里欧思领导的一场战役。在某个关键时刻,他命令分遗舰队转向轨道面下方,而敌军一个中队在毫无警戒的情况下,被里欧思的战舰逮个正着。后来有人抱怨,说这是一种投机行动——当然是出自输家之口。
如此影响深远且与人类同样古老的规约,一定是源自地球。想到这里,崔维兹的心思又被拉回可住人行星的问题上。
裴洛拉特与宝绮思仍然盯着那颗气态巨行星,看它以非常、非常缓慢的动作,在屏幕上慢速倒翻着筋斗。现在日照部分渐渐扩大,崔维兹将光谱褂讪在橘红色波长上,它表面翻腾的风暴变得更狂乱,更有一种催眠力量。
这时菲龙晃进了驾驶舱,宝绮思认为它应该小睡一会儿,她自己也一样有这个需要。
裴洛拉特单独留下。崔维兹对他说:“我必须撤掉气态巨行星的画面,詹诺夫。我要让电脑集中全力,开始寻找大小恰当的着力讯标。”
“当然好,老伙伴。”裴洛拉特说。
不过实际情形要复杂得多。电脑所要寻找的,不只是一个大小恰当的讯标而已,这个讯标还必须发自体积与距离都符合条件的行星才行。还得等上好几天,他才能得到确定的答案。
61
崔维兹走进自己的舱房,表情凝着而严肃——其实应该说是阴郁。然后,他着实吃了一惊。
宝绮思正在那里等他,菲龙紧靠在她身边,它身上的袍子与束腰散发出一股清新气味,一闻就知道经过蒸气洗涤与真空熨烫。这孩子穿上自己的衣裳,要比穿着宝绮思大了几号的睡袍好看得多。
宝绮思说:“你刚才在电脑旁边,我不想打扰你,不过现在请听——开始吧,菲龙。”
菲龙便以高亢而带有音乐性的语调说:“我问候您,保护者崔维兹。我感到万分荣幸,干……更……跟随您乘太空船遨游太空。我也很快乐,因为我有两个亲切的朋友,宝绮思和裴。”
菲龙说完后,露出一个可爱的笑容。崔维兹再度暗忖:我到底将它当成男孩还是女孩,或者都是,或者都不是?
他点了点头。“记得非常熟,发音几乎完全正确。”
“完全不是死记的,”宝绮思热切地说:“菲龙自己拟好稿子,然后问我可不可以背诵给你听,我事先甚至不知道菲龙会说什么。”
崔维兹勉强挤出一丝微笑。“这样的话,的确很不简单。”他注意到宝绮思提到菲龙时,尽量避免使用代名词。
宝绮思转头对菲龙说:“我告诉你崔维兹会喜欢的——现在去找裴,如果你有兴趣,可以再向他要些读物。”
菲龙跑开之后,宝绮思说:“菲龙学习银河标准语的速度真是惊人,索拉利人对语言一定有特殊天分。想想看,班德仅藉着收听超波通讯,就能说得一口不错的银河标准语。除了能量转换,它们的大脑也许还有其他异于常人之处。”
崔维兹只是哼了一声。
宝绮思说:“别告诉我说你仍不喜欢菲龙。”
“我无所谓喜欢不喜欢,那小东西就是让我感到下自在。比方说吧,想到跟一个雌雄同体打交道,就令人觉得浑身不舒服。”
宝绮思说:“得了吧,崔维兹,这样说实在可笑,菲龙可算完全正常的生物。对一个雌雄同体的社会而言,想想看你我有多么恶心——不是男性,就是女性。每种性别只能算一半,为了生育下一代,必须以丑怪的方式暂时结合。”
“你反对这点吗,宝绮思?”
“别装作误解我的意思,我是试图以雌雄同体的立场审视我们。对他们而言,那种事一定显得极其可厌,伹对我们而言则相当自然。所以菲龙才会引起你的反感,但那只是短视而褊狭的反应。”
“坦白说,”崔维兹道:“不知该用什么代名词称呼这小东西,实在是一件很烦人的事。为了烦恼代名词的问题,思路和谈话会一直被打断。”
“但这是我们语言的缺失,”宝绮思说:“不是菲龙的问题。人类的语言在发展过程中,从未将雌雄同体考虑在内。我很高兴你提出这个问题,因为我自己也一直在想。如果使用‘它’,像班德自己坚持的那样,并不是个解决之道,因为那个代名词是用来指称与性别无关的事物。在我们的语言中,根本没有代名词同时适合两种性别。那么,何不随便选一个呢?我把菲龙当成女孩,原因之一是她拥有女性的尖锐声调,此外她也能生育下一代,这是女性最着要的特征之一。裴洛拉特已经同意了,你何不一样接受呢?我们就用‘她’称呼菲龙吧。”
崔维兹耸了耸肩。“很好,指出‘她’有睾丸听来会很奇怪,即使如此,还是很好。”
宝绮思叹了口气。“你的确有个惹人厌的习惯,喜欢把每件事都拿来开玩笑。不过我知道你有很大的压力,所以这点我缓舐解。就用阴性代名词称呼菲龙吧,拜托。”
“我会的。”崔维兹犹豫了一下,终于忍不住说道:“我每次看到你们在一起,就越来越觉得你把菲龙当成子女的代替品。是不是因为你想要个孩子,却认为詹诺夫无法做到?”
宝绮思睁大了眼睛。“我跟他在一起可不是为了孩子!难道你认为,我把他当成帮我生孩子的方便工具?更何况,我还没到该生儿育女的时候,将来时候到了,我得生育一个盖娅之子,这件事裴根本无能为力。”
“你的意思是詹诺夫必须被抛弃?”
“当然不会,只是暂时分开,甚至可能会用人工授精的方式。”
“我想,必须等盖娅决定有此需要、等到某个原本存在的盖娅人类成员死去,产生一个空缺的时候,你才能生育一个孩子。”
“这是种冷酷无情的说法,不过也算得上实情。盖娅的每个部分及其相互间的每一种关系,都必须维持完美的均衡。”
“就像索拉利人的情形一样。”
宝绮思紧抿着嘴唇,脸色变得有些苍白。“完全下同。索拉利人生产的数量超过需要,就将过剩的人口销毁;我们生产的子女则刚好符合需要,从来不必杀害任何生命。就像你的皮肤表层坏死之后,便会长出恰到好处的新皮肤,不会多长出一个细胞来。”
“我了解你的意思。”崔维兹说:“顺便提一下,我希望你考虑到詹诺夫的感受。”
“有关我可能生个小孩的事?这个问题从未讨论过,将来也绝对不会。”
“不,我不是指那个——我在想,你对菲龙越来越感兴趣,詹诺夫也许会觉得被冷落了。”
“他没有受到冷落,他跟我一样对菲龙很有兴趣。她是我们另一个共同的喜好,甚至将我们两人拉得更接近。感觉受冷落的会不会是你?”
“我?”崔维兹大吃一惊。
“对,就是你。我不了解孤立体,就像你不了解盖娅一样,可是我有种感觉,你喜欢成为这艘太空船中注意力的焦点,你也许感到这个地位被菲龙取代了。”
“真是荒谬。”
“而你竟然认为我冷落裴,那是同样荒谬的想法。”
“那么让我们宣布停战吧。我会试着把菲龙当成女孩,也不会再过度担心你不顾詹诺夫的感受。”
宝绮思微微一笑。“谢谢你,那么一切都没问题了。”
崔维兹转过身去,宝绮思突然说:“等一等!”
崔维兹又转回来,带着点厌烦的口气说:“什么事?”
“我很清楚地感觉到,崔维兹,你现在既悲伤又沮丧。我不会刺探你的心灵,但你也许愿意告诉我有什么不对劲。昨天,你说这个行星系中有颗条件符合的行星,还似乎相当高兴——我希望它仍在那里,那个发现该不是个错误吧?”
“在这个行星系中,的确有颗条件符合的行星,而它仍在那里。”崔维兹说。
“大小罢好吗?”
崔维兹点了点头。“既然说它条件符合,大小当然刚好,而且它和恒星的距离也相符。”
“嗯,那么,到底有什么问题?”
“我们现在足够接近它,已经能分析它的大气成分,结果显示它谈不上有大气层。”
“没有大气层?”
“谈不上有大气层,它是颗不可住人的行星。而环绕这个太阳的其他行星,都没有半点可住人的条件。这第三次的尝试,我们的结果是一无所获。”
62
裴洛拉特看来面色凝着,他显然不愿搅扰崔维兹抑郁不乐的沉默。他站在驾驶舱门口观望,意思很明显,希望崔维兹能主动开口说话。
崔维兹却一直没开口,沉默的状态就像是生了根似的。
最后裴洛拉特实在忍不住了,他带着几分怯意说:“我们现在在做什么?”
崔维兹抬起头,瞪了裴洛拉特一会儿,又将头转过去,然后说:“我们正对准那颗行星飞去。”
“可是,既然它没有大气层……”
“是电脑说它没有大气层。长久以来,它告诉我的都是我想听的,而我一直照单全收;如今它告诉我一些我不想听的,所以我准备查验一下。假如这台电脑也会犯错,现在就是我希望它犯错的时候。l“你认为它出了错吗?”
“不,我不这么想。”
“你想得到可能令它犯错的原因吗?”
“不,我想不出来。”
“那你为何还要麻烦呢,葛兰?”
崔维兹终于转身面对裴洛拉特,脸孔扭曲,表情近乎绝望。“詹诺夫,难道你看不出来,我已经走投无路了吗?在前两个世界上,我们寻找地球下落的结果是一场空,这个世界又是一片空白。现在我该怎么办?从一个世界游荡到另一个世界,睁大眼睛四处张望,逢人便问:‘对不起,请问地球在哪里?’地球将它的踪迹隐藏得太好了,哪里都没留下任何线索。我甚至开始怀疑,即使有什么线索存在,它也绝对下会让我们找到。”
裴洛拉特点了点头,然后说:“我自己也在顺着这个方向思索,你介不介意我们讨论一下?我知道你很不高兴,也不想说话,老弟,所以如果你要我离开,我马上就走。”
“开始讨论吧,”崔维兹的声音简直像呻吟,“除了洗耳恭听,我还有什么好做的?”
于是裴洛拉特说:“听你这种口气,好像并非真想让我开口,不过谈谈也许对我们都有好处。你受不了的时候,请随时叫我闭嘴——我有个感觉,葛兰,地球不一定仅采取被动、消极的方法,将自己隐藏起来,也不一定只是清除有关它的参考资料,难道它不会安排一些假线索,用这种主动的方法制造烟幕?”
“怎么说?”
“嗯,我们在好几处地方,都听说过地球具有放射性,这种说法可能是故意捏造的,好让大家都打消寻找它的念头。假如它真有放射性,它就万万接近不得,最可能的情况是,我们根本无法踏上地球。就算我们有机器人,它们也可能无法抵御放射线的伤害。所以何必还要找呢?反之,假如它没有放射性,却能因此不受侵犯,除非有人在无意间接近,而即使如此,它或许也有其他的隐蔽方法。”
崔维兹勉强挤出一丝微笑。“真奇怪,詹诺夫,我刚好也想到这点。我甚至想到,那颗未必存在的巨大卫星是虚构的,被故意放进这个世界的传说中。至于具有过大行星环的气态巨行星也一样未必存在,很可能也是捏造出来的。这些或许都是刻意的安排,好让我们寻找一些根本不存在的东西,让我们来到正确的行星系,双眼瞪着地球的时候,反而对它视而不见。因为事实上它没有一颗巨大的卫星,没有具放射性的地壳,它的近邻也没有什么三着行星环。因此,我们无法认出它来,作梦也想不到它就在我们眼前——我还想像到更糟的情况。”
裴洛拉特显得垂头丧气。“怎么可能还有更糟的情况?”
“很简单。在半夜里,当你沮丧到极点时,就会开始在无际的幻想天地间遨游,寻找任何能令你更绝望的东西。若是地球自我隐藏的法力无边呢?若是它能蒙蔽我们的心灵呢?若是我们经过地球附近时,虽然它的确有巨大的卫星,它的邻居也有巨大的行星环,我们却根本视若无睹呢?若是我们早就错过了呢?”
“可是如果你相信这些,我们为何还……”
“我没说我相信,我说的只是些疯狂的幻想,我们还是会继续寻找。”
裴洛拉特迟疑了一下,然后说:“要持续多久呢,崔维兹?到了某一地步,我们当然就得放弃。”
“绝不,”崔维兹厉声道:“即使我必须花一辈子的时间,从一颗行星飞到另一颗行星,睁大眼睛四处张望,逢人便问:‘先生请问,地球在哪里?’我也一定会这么做。我随时可以带你和宝绮思回盖娅,甚至送菲龙一起去,如果你们希望的话,然后我再自己上路。”
“喔,不,你知道我不会离开你,葛兰,宝绮思也不会。如果有必要,我们会跟你一起踏遍每颗行星。可是这又是为什么呢?”
“因为我必须找到地球,因为我一定会找到。我不知道是在什么情况下,但我一定会找到它——现在,听着,我要设法前往一个适当位置,以便研究这颗行星的日照面,又不至于和它的太阳过于接近,所以暂时别打扰我。”
裴洛拉特不再说话,伹也没有离开。他留在原处继续旁观,看着崔维兹研究屏幕上的行星影像。行星有一半以上处于白昼。对裴洛拉特而言,它似乎毫无特色,不过他也知道,崔维兹现在与电脑联系在一起,各种感知能力已大为增强。
崔维兹悄声道:“那里有一团薄雾。”
“那一定就有大气层。”裴洛拉特脱口而出。
“没有多少,不足以维持生命,但足以产生能掀起灰尘的微风。对一个拥有稀薄大气的行星而言,这是一种很普遍的特征,它甚至还可能有小型极地冰冠——凝结在极地的少数‘水冰’,你知道吧。这个世界的温度过高,不可能有固态二氧化碳。我必须切换到雷达映像,这样一来,我就能在夜面顺利工作。”
“真的吗?”、  “是的。我应该一开始就试着那样做,可是这颗行星根本没空气,因此也没有云层,尝试用可见光观察似乎很自然。”
崔维兹维持了长久的沉默,在这段期间,显像屏幕中的雷达反射模糊不清,仿佛是一颗行星的抽象画,有点像某位克里昂时期艺术家的画风。然后他使劲地说了声:“好——”这个声音维持了一阵子,之后他再度陷入沉默。
裴洛拉特终于忍不住问道:“什么东西‘好’?”
崔维兹很快瞥了他一眼。“我看不到任何陨石坑。”
“没有陨石坑?这是好现象吗?”
“完全出乎意料之外。”他咧嘴笑了笑,又说:“非常好的现象。事实上,可能是好极了。”
63
菲龙的鼻子一直贴着太空艇的舷窗,透过这个窗口,能直接以肉眼观察宇宙的一小部分。这可说是最自然的景观,完全未经电脑的放大或增强。
宝绮思刚才试着为菲龙解释宇宙的奥秘,现在她叹了一口气,低声对裴洛拉特说:“我不知道她了解多少,亲爱的裴。她单亲的那座宅邸,以及宅邸敖近一小部分的属地,对她而言就是整个宇宙。我想她未曾在夜晚到过户外,也从来没见过星星。”
“你真这么想吗?”
“我真这么想。我本来不敢让她看到任何太空景观,直到她懂得够多的字汇,可以稍微了解我的话——你多么幸运啊,能用她的语言跟她交谈。”
“问题是我不算很懂。”裴洛拉特歉然道:“如果事先毫无准备,宇宙是个相当不易掌握的概念。她曾对我说,假如那些小扁点都是巨大的世界,每个都像素拉利一样——当然啦,它们都比索拉利大得多——那它们就不能凭空挂在那里,它们应该掉下来,她这么说。”
“根据她既有的知识来判断,她说得没错。她问的都是合理的问题,一点一滴慢慢累积,最后她终缓笏解。至少她有好奇心,而且她不害怕。”
“其实,宝绮思,我自己也好奇。葛兰发现前面那个世界没陨石坑之后,你看他立刻有多大转变。这究竟有什么差别,我完全没概念,你呢?”
“一点也没有。然而他的行星学知识比我们丰富得多,我们只能假设他知道自己在做什么。”
“真希望我也知道。”
“那么,去问问他。”
裴洛拉特现出为难的表情。“我一直担心会惹他心烦,我可以肯定,他认为我该知道这些事,根本用不着他来告诉我。”
宝绮思说:“这是傻话,裴。有关银河中的神话传说,他认为可能有用的,随时会毫不犹豫地向你请教,你也总是乐意回答和解释,他又为何不该如此?你现在就去问他,如果这样做惹他心烦,他就得到一个练习做人处事的机会,这样对他也有好处。”
“你要跟我一起去吗?”
“不,当然不去。我要跟菲龙在一起,继续试着将宇宙的概念装进她脑子里。以后你随时可以解释给我听——只要他对你解释过。”
64
裴洛拉特怯生生地走进驾驶舱。他很高兴发现崔维兹正在吹口哨,显然心情相当好。
“葛兰。”他尽可能以快活的语气说。
崔维兹抬起头来。“詹诺夫!你每次进来总是蹑手蹑脚,好像认为打扰我会犯法似地。把门关上,坐下,坐下!你看看这个。”
他指着映在显像屏幕上的行星,然后说:“我只找到两三个陨石坑,而且都相当小。”
“那有什么差别吗,葛兰?真有吗?”
“差别?当然有。你怎么会这样问?”
裴洛拉特做了个无奈的手势。“这些对我而言都神秘无比。大学时我主修历史,除此之外我还修过社会学和心理学,也修了一些语言和文学课程,大多数是古代语文;在研究所的时候,我则专攻神话学。我从来没有接触过行星学,或是其他自然科学。”
“那也没错啊,詹诺夫,我宁愿你只精通这些知识。你对古代语言和神话学的素养,对我们一直有莫大助益,这点你自己也知道——遇到有关行星学的问题,我会负责解决的。”
他继续说:“你可知道,詹诺夫,行星是由较小天体碰撞聚合所形成的。最后撞上来的那些天体,就会造成陨石坑的痕迹,我的意思是有这种可能。假如一颗行星大到气态巨行星的秤谌,大气层下其实全是液态结构,最后那批撞击就只会溅起若干液体,不缓篝下任何痕迹。
“较小的固态行星,不论是冰或岩石构成的,都一定会有陨石坑的痕迹。除非存在某种消除作用,否则它们永远不会消失。而消除作用会在三种情况下产生:
“第一种情况,这个世界的液态海洋上胶笏一层冰。这样一来,任何撞击都会将冰击碎,并且令水花四溅。不久冰层会着新冻结,打个比方,就是使撞破的伤口愈合。这样的行星或卫星温度一定很低,不可能是我们所谓的可住人世界。”
“第二种情况,如果这个世界的火山活动剧烈,那么一旦有陨石坑形成,熔岩流或火山灰落尘便会源源不断灌进来,将陨石坑渐渐湮没。然而,这样的行星或卫星也不可能适合人类居住。”
“可住人世界则构成第三种情况。这种世界也许有极地冰冠,但大部分海洋一定都是自由流体。它们也可能有活火山,可是一定分布得很稀疏。这种世界如果出现了陨石坑,它既无法自行愈合,也没有东西可供填补。不过它上面有侵蚀作用,风或流动的水都会不断侵蚀陨石坑,如果还有生命,生物活动也具有强力的侵蚀作用。懂了吧?”
裴洛拉特思索了一下,然后说:“可是,葛兰,我一点也下了解你的意思。我们要去的这颗行星……”
“我们明天就要登陆。”崔维兹兴高采烈地说。
“我们要去的这颗行星并没有海洋。”
“只有很薄的极地冰冠。”
“也没有多少大气。”
“只有端点星大气密度的百分之一。”
“也没有生命。”
“我没侦测到生命现象。”
“那么,有什么东西能侵蚀掉陨石坑呢?”
“海洋、大气和生物。”崔维兹答道。“听着,假如这颗行星一开始就没有空气和水分,陨石坑形成后就不会消失,它的表面会到处都坑坑洞洞。这颗行星上几乎没有陨石坑,证明它原本一定含有空气和水分,而且不久之前,也许还有相当丰沛的大气和海洋。此外,看得出这个世界有些巨大的海盆,那里过去一定曾是汪洋一片,而干涸河床的痕迹更不在话下。所以你看,侵蚀作用过去的确存在,是不久之前才停止的,而新的陨石坑还来不及累积。”
裴洛拉特看来一脸疑惑。“我也许不是行星学家,可是我也知道,这么大的一颗行星,足以维持浓厚的大气数十亿年之久,不可能突然让大气流失,对不对?”
“我也认为不可能。”崔维兹说:“但这个世界在大气流失前,上面无疑有生命存在,也许还是人类生命。根据我的猜测,它是个经过改造的世界,就像银河中几乎每个住人世界一样。问题是人类抵达之前,它的自然条件如何;人类为了使它适于住人,又对它进行过何种改造;还有,生命究竟是在什么情况下消失的,这些问题的答案我们都不知道。有可能曾经发生一场‘激变’,将大气层一扫而光,一举结束了人类生命。也可能人类在这颗行星居住时,维持着一种奇异的非平衡状态,而人类消失之后,它就陷入恶性循环,导致大气变得越来越稀薄。或许我们登陆之后就能找到答案,也可能根本找不到,不过这点无关紧要。”
“如果那上面现在没有生命,过去是否有生命存在,同样是无关紧要的一件事。一个世界始终不可住人,和一度曾可住人,两者又有什么差别呢?”
“假如只有现在不可住人,当年的居民应该缓篝下些遗迹。”
“奥罗拉也有许多遗迹……”
“一点也没错,但奥罗拉经历了两万年的雨雪风霜,以及起伏剧烈的温度变化。此外那里还有生命——别忘了那些生命;那里也许不再有人类的踪迹,可是仍有众多生命。遗迹也像陨石坑一样会遭到侵蚀,甚至更快。经过了两万年,不缓篝下什么对我们有用的东西。然而这颗行星曾经有过一段时期,也许长达两万年,也许少一点,上面没有任何风雨或生命。我承认,温度变化还是有的,不过那是唯一的不利因素,那些遗迹应该保存得相当好。”
“除非,”裴洛拉特以怀疑的口吻喃喃说道:“上面根本没有任何遗迹。有没有可能这颗行星上从未出现生命,或是根本没有人类居住饼,而造成大气流失的事件其实也和人类无关?”
“不,不可能,”崔维兹说:“你无法使我变得悲观,我绝不会放弃希望。即使在这里,我也已经侦察到一些遗迹,我可以确定那是座城市——所以我们明天就要登陆。”
65
宝绮思以忧虑的口吻说:“菲龙深信我们是要带她回到健比——她的机器人身边。”
“喔——”崔维兹一面说,一面研究着太空艇下方急速掠过的地表。然后他抬起头,仿佛现在才听见那句话。“嗯,那是她唯一认识的亲人,对不对?”
“没错,当然没错,伹她以为我们回到了索拉利。”
“它看来像素拉利吗?”
“她怎么会知道?”
“告诉她那不是索拉利。听好,我会给你一两套附有图解的胶卷参考书,让她看看各种住人世界的特写,再向她解释一下,这样的世界总共有好几千万。你会有时间做这件事:一旦我们选定目标着陆之后,我不知道詹诺夫和我会在外面徘徊多久。”
“你和詹诺夫?”
“对,菲龙不能跟我们一块去,即使我想要她去也办不到——但除非我是疯子,否则我不会有那种念头。这个世界需要太空衣,宝绮思,上面没有可供呼吸的空气。我们没有适合菲龙穿的太空衣,所以她得跟你留在太空船内。”
“为什么跟我?”
崔维兹的嘴角扯出一个假笑。“我承认,”他说:“如果你跟我们一起行动,我会比较有安全感,可是我们不能把菲龙单独留在太空船上。她有可能造成破坏,即使只是无心之失。我必须让詹诺夫跟着我,因为他也许看得懂此地的古代文书。这就表示你得和菲龙留在这里,我认为你应该愿意。”
宝绮思显得犹豫不决。
崔维兹说:“你看,当初是你要带菲龙同行,我根本就反对,我确信她只会是个麻烦。因此——她的出现带来一些束缚,你就必须做些自我调适。她待在这里,所以你也得待在这里,没有别的办法。”
宝绮思叹了一口气。“我想是吧。”
“好,詹诺夫呢?”
“他和菲龙待在一起。”
“很好,你去换班,我有话跟他说。”
裴洛拉特走进来的时候,崔维兹还在研究行星地表。他先清了清喉咙,表示他已经到了。“有什么问题吗,葛兰?”
“不能算真正有问题,詹诺夫,我只是不太确定。这是个很特殊的世界,我不知道它发生过什么变故。当初海洋一定极辽阔,这点可以从海盆看出来,不过它们都很浅。从这些地理遗迹中,我所能做出的最佳判断,是这个世界原本有许多河渠,海洋曾经进行淡化的手续,也可能海水本来就没什么盐分。如果当初海洋中的盐分不多,就能解释海盆中为何没有大片盐田。或者也有可能,在海水流失的过程中,盐分跟着一起流失——这就会使它看来像人为的结果。”
裴洛拉特迟疑地说:“很抱歉,我对这些事一窍不通,葛兰,但这些有任何一样跟我们寻找的目标有关吗?”
“我想应该没有,可是我忍不住靶到好奇。这颗行星如何被改造成适于人类居住,它在改造之前又是什么面貌,我若知道这些答案,或许就能了解它在遭到遗弃之后——或者也许是之前,曾经发生什么变故。要是我们知道发生了什么事,也许就能提早防范,避免发生不愉快的意外。”
“什么样的意外?它是个死去的世界,不是吗?”
“的确死透了。水分非常少,大气稀薄而不能呼吸,宝绮思也侦测不到精神活动的迹象。”
“我认为这就够确定了。”
“不存在精神活动,不一定代表没有生物。”
“至少表示一定没有危险的生物。”
“我不知道——不过我想请教你的不是这个。我找到两座城市,可当作我们探查的第一站,它们的状况似乎极佳,其他的城市也都一样。不管空气和海洋是被什么力量毁掉的,城市似乎完全未被波及。言归正传,那两个城市特别大,但较大的那个似乎缺少空地,它的外缘远方有些太空航站,市内却没有这类场所。另外那个稍微小一点的,市内则有些开阔的空间,所以比较容易降落在市中心,不过那里并不是正式的太空航站——可是话说回来,谁又会计较呢?”
裴洛拉特显得愁眉苦脸。“你是要我做决定吗,葛兰?”
“不,我自己会做决定,我只是想知道你的看法。”
“如果你不嫌弃的话——向四方延伸的大城比较像商业或制造业中心,具有开放空间的较小城市则较像行政中心。我们的目标应该是行政中心,那里有纪念性建筑物吗?”
“你所谓的纪念性建筑物是什么意思?”
裴洛拉特微微一笑,拉长了他紧绷的嘴唇。“我也不清楚,各个世界的建筑风格都不相同,也会随着时间改变。不过,我猜它们总是看来大而无当,而且豪华奢侈,就像我们在康普隆时置身的那个建筑。”
这回轮到崔维兹露出微笑。“垂直看下去很难分辨,而我们在着陆或起飞时,虽然可以从侧面观察,看出去也会是一团混乱。你为什么比较中意行政中心?”
“那里较有可能找到行星博物馆、图书馆、档案中心、大学院校等等机构。”
“好,我们就去那里,去那个较小的城市,也许我们能有所发现。我们已经失败两次,这次也许能有什么发现。”
“说不定这是‘幸运的三度梅’。”
崔维兹扬起眉毛。“你从哪里听来这句成语?”
“这是个古老的成语,”裴洛拉特说:“我是在一则古代传说中发现的。它的意思是第三次的尝试终于带来成功,我这么想。”
“听来很有道理。”崔维兹说:“很好——幸运的三度梅,詹诺夫。”
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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Chapter 14: Dead Planet
60Trevize felt depressed. What few victories he had hadsince the search began had never been definitive; they had merely beenthe temporary staving off of defeat.
Now he had delayed the Jump to the third of the Spacer worlds tillhe had spread his unease to the others. When he finally decided that hesimply must tell the computer to move the ship through hyperspace, Peloratwas standing solemnly in the doorway to the pilot-room, and Bliss wasjust behind him and to one side. Even Fallom was standing there, gazingat Trevize owlishly, while one hand gripped Bliss's hand tightly.
Trevize had looked up from the computer and had said, ratherchurlishly, "Quite the family group!" but that was only his own discomfortspeaking.
He instructed the computer to Jump in such a way as to reenter spaceat a further distance from the star in question than was absolutelynecessary. He told himself that that was because he was learningcaution as a result of events on the first two Spacer worlds, but hedidn't believe that. Well underneath, he knew, he was hoping that hewould arrive in space at a great enough distance from the star to beuncertain as to whether it did or did not have a habitable planet. Thatwould give him a few more days of in-space travel before he could findout, and (perhaps) have to stare bitter defeat in the face.
So now, with the "family group" watching, he drew a deep breath,held it, then expelled it in a between-the-lips whistle as he gave thecomputer its final instruction.
The star-pattern shifted in a silent discontinuity and the viewscreenbecame barer, for he had been taken into a region in which the starswere somewhat sparser. And there, nearly in the center, was a brightlygleaming star.
Trevize grinned broadly, for this was a victory of sorts. After all,the third set of co-ordinates might have been wrong and there might havebeen no appropriate G-type star in sight. He glanced toward the otherthree, and said, "That's it. Star number three.""Are you sure?" asked Bliss softly.
"Watch!" said Trevize. "I will switch to the equi-centered view inthe computer's Galactic map, and if that bright star disappears, it'snot recorded on the map, and it's the one we want."The computer responded to his command, and the star blinked outwithout any prior dimming. It was as though it had never been, but therest of the starfield remained as it was, in sublime indifference.
"We've got it," said Trevize.
And yet he sent the Far Star forward at little more than halfthe speed he might easily have maintained. There was still the questionof the presence or absence of a habitable planet, and he was in no hurryto find out. Even after three days of approach, there was still nothingto be said about that, either way.
Or, perhaps, not quite nothing. Circling the star was a large gasgiant. It was very far from its star and it gleamed a very pale yellowon its daylight side, which they could see, from their position, as athick crescent.
Trevize did not like its looks, but he tried not to show it and spokeas matter-of-factly as a guidebook. "There's a big gas giant out there,"he said. "It's rather spectacular. It has a thin pair of rings and twosizable satellites that can be made out at the moment."Bliss said, "Most systems include gas giants, don't they?""Yes, but this is a rather large one. Judging from the distance ofits satellites, and their periods of revolution, that gas giant is almosttwo thousand times as massive as a habitable planet would be.""What's the difference?" said Bliss. "Gas giants are gas giants andit doesn't matter what size they are, does it? They're always present atgreat distances from the star they circle, and none of them are habitable,thanks to their size and distance. We just have to look closer to thestar for a habitable planet."Trevize hesitated, then decided to place the facts on the table. "Thething is," he said, "that gas giants tend to sweep a volume of planetaryspace clean. What material they don't absorb into their own structureswill coalesce into fairly large bodies that come to make up theirsatellite system. They prevent other coalescences at even a considerabledistance from themselves, so that the larger the gas giant, the morelikely it is to be the only sizable planet of a particular star. There'lljust be the gas giant and asteroids.""You mean there is no habitable planet here?""The larger the gas giant, the smaller the chance of a habitableplanet and that gas giant is so massive it is virtually a dwarf star."Pelorat said, "May we see it?"All three now stared at the screen (Fallom was in Bliss's room withthe books).
The view was magnified till the crescent filled the screen. Crossingthat crescent a distance above center was a thin dark line, the shadowof the ring system which could itself be seen a small distance beyondthe planetary surface as a gleaming curve that stretched into the darkside a short distance before it entered the shadow itself.
Trevize said, "The planet's axis of rotation is inclined aboutthirty-five degrees to its plane of revolution, and its ring is in theplanetary equatorial plane, of course, so that the star's light comesin from below, at this point in its orbit, and casts the ring's shadowwell above the equator."Pelorat watched raptly. "Those are thin rings.""Rather above average size, actually," said Trevize.
"According to legend, the rings that circle a gas giant in Earth'splanetary system are much wider, brighter, and more elaborate than thisone. The rings actually dwarf the gas giant by comparison.""I'm not surprised," said Trevize. "When a story is handed on fromperson to person for thousands of years, do you suppose it shrinks inthe telling?"Bliss said, "It's beautiful. If you watch the crescent, it seems towrithe and wriggle before your eyes.""Atmospheric storms," said Trevize. "You can generally see that moreclearly if you choose an appropriate wavelength of light. Here, let metry." He placed his hands on the desk and ordered the computer to workits way through the spectrum and stop at the appropriate wavelength.
The mildly lit crescent went into a wilderness of color that shiftedso rapidly it almost dazed the eyes that tried to follow. Finally,it settled into a red-orange, and, within the crescent, clear spiralsdrifted, coiling and uncoiling as they moved.
"Unbelievable," muttered Pelorat.
"Delightful," said Bliss.
Quite believable, thought Trevize bitterly, and anything butdelightful. Neither Pelorat nor Bliss, lost in the beauty, bothered tothink that the planet they admired lowered the chances of solving themystery Trevize was trying to unravel. But, then, why should they? Bothwere satisfied that Trevize's decision had been correct, and theyaccompanied him in his search for certainty without an emotional bondto it. It was useless to blame them for that.
He said, "The dark side seems dark, but if our eyes were sensitive tothe range just a little beyond the usual long-wave limit, we would seeit as a dull, deep, angry red. The planet is pouring infrared radiationout into space in great quantities because it is massive enough to bealmost red-hot. It's more than a gas giant; it's a sub-star."He waited a little longer and then said, "And now let's put that objectout of our mind and look for the habitable planet that may exist.""Perhaps it does," said Pelorat, smiling. "Don't give up, oldfellow.""I haven't given up," said Trevize, without true conviction. "Theformation of planets is too complicated a matter for rules to be hardand fast. We speak only of probabilities. With that monster out in space,the probabilities decrease, but not to zero."Bliss said, "Why don't you think of it this way? Since the first twosets of co-ordinates each gave you a habitable planet of the Spacers, thenthis third set, which has already given you an appropriate star, shouldgive you a habitable planet as well. Why speak of probabilities?""I certainly hope you're right," said Trevize, who did not feel atall consoled. "Now we will shoot out of the planetary plane and in towardthe star."The computer took care of that almost as soon as he had spoken hisintention. He sat back in his pilot's chair and decided, once again,that the one evil of piloting a gravitic ship with a computer so advancedwas that one could never never  pilot any othertype of ship again.
Could he ever again bear to do the calculations himself? Could he bearto have to take acceleration into account, and limit it to a reasonablelevel? In all likelihood, he would forget and pour on the energytill he and everyone on board were smashed against one interior wallor another.
Well, then, he would continue to pilot this one ship oranother exactly like it, if he could even bear to make so much of achange always.
And because he wanted to keep his mind off the question of thehabitable planet, yes or no, he mused on the fact that he had directedthe ship to move above the plane, rather than below. Barring anydefinite reason to go below a plane, pilots almost always chose to goabove. Why?
For that matter, why be so intent on considering one directionabove and the other below? In the symmetry of space that was pureconvention.
Just the same, he was always aware of the direction in which anyplanet under observation rotated about its axis and revolved about itsstar. When both were counterclockwise, then the direction of one's raisedarm was north, and the direction of one's feet was south. And throughoutthe Galaxy, north was pictured as above and south as below.
It was pure convention, dating back into the primeval mists, and itwas followed slavishly. If one looked at a familiar map with south above,one didn't recognize it. It had to be turned about to make sense. Andall things being equal, one turned north and "above."Trevize thought of a battle fought by Bel Riose, the Imperialgeneral of three centuries before, who had veered his squadron below theplanetary plane at a crucial moment, and caught a squadron of vessels,waiting and unprepared. There were complaints that it had been an unfairmaneuver by the losers, of course.
A convention, so powerful and so primordially old, must have startedon Earth and that brought Trevize's mind, with a jerk, back tothe question of the habitable planet.
Pelorat and Bliss continued to watch the gas giant as it slowlyturned on the viewscreen in a slow, slow back-somersault. The sunlitportion spread and, as Trevize kept its spectrum fixed in the orange-redwavelengths, the storm-writhing of its surface became ever madder andmore hypnotic.
Then Fallom came wandering in and Bliss decided it must take a napand that so must she.
Trevize said to Pelorat, who remained, "I have to let go of the gasgiant, Janov. I want to have the computer concentrate on the search fora gravitational blip of the right size.""Of course, old fellow," said Pelorat.
But it was more complicated than that. It was not just a blip of theright size that the computer had to search for, it was one of the rightsize and at the right distance. It would still be several days beforehe could be sure.
61Trevize walked into his room, grave, solemn indeedsomber and started perceptibly.
Bliss was waiting for him and immediately next to her was Fallom,with its loincloth and robe bearing the unmistakable fresh odor ofsteaming and vacupressing. The youngster looked better in that than inone of Bliss's foreshortened nightgowns.
Bliss said, "I didn't want to disturb you at the computer, but nowlisten. Go on, Fallom."Fallom said, in its high-pitched musical voice, "I greetyou, Protector Trevize. It is with great pleasure that I amap ad accompanying you on this ship through space. I am happy,too, for the kindness of my friends, Bliss and Pel."Fallom finished and smiled prettily, and once again Trevize thoughtto himself: Do I think of it as a boy or as a girl or as both or asneither?
He nodded his head. "Very well memorized. Almost perfectlypronounced.""Not at all memorized," said Bliss warmly. "Fallom composed thisitself and asked if it would be possible to recite it to you. I didn'teven know what Fallom would say till I heard it said."Trevize forced a smile, "In that case, very good indeed." He noticedBliss avoided pronouns when she could.
Bliss turned to Fallom and said, "I told you Trevize would likeit. Now go to Pel and you can have some more reading if youwish."Fallom ran off, and Bliss said, "It's really astonishing how quicklyFallom is picking up Galactic. The Solarians must have a special aptitudefor languages. Think how Bander spoke Galactic merely from hearing iton hyperspatial communications. Those brains may be remarkable in waysother than energy transduction."Trevize grunted.
Bliss said, "Don't tell me you still don't like Fallom.""I neither like nor dislike. The creature simply makes me uneasy. Forone thing, it's a grisly feeling to be dealing with a hermaphrodite."Bliss said, "Come, Trevize, that's ridiculous. Fallom is a perfectlyacceptable living creature. To a society of hermaphrodites, think howdisgusting you and I must seem males and females generally. Eachis half of a whole and, in order to reproduce, there must be a temporaryand clumsy union.""Do you object to that, Bliss?""Don't pretend to misunderstand. I am trying to view us from thehermaphroditic standpoint. To them, it must seem repellent in the extreme;to us, it seems natural. So Fallom seems repellent to you, but that'sjust a shortsighted parochial reaction.""Frankly," said Trevize, "it's annoying not to know the pronoun touse in connection with the creature. It impedes thought and conversationto hesitate forever at the pronoun.""But that's the fault of our language," said Bliss, "and notof Fallom. No human language has been devised with hermaphroditismin mind. And I'm glad you brought it up, because I've been thinkingabout it myself. Saying `it,' as Bander itself insisted on doing,is no solution. That is a pronoun intended for objects to which sex isirrelevant, and there is no pronoun at all for objects that are sexuallyactive in both senses. Why not just pick one of the pronouns arbitrarily,then? I think of Fallom as a girl. She has the high voice of one, forone thing, and she has the capacity of producing young, which is thevital definition of femininity. Pelorat has agreed; why don't you do so,too? Let it be `she' and `her.'"Trevize shrugged. "Very well. It will sound peculiar to point outthat she has testicles, but very well."Bliss sighed. "You do have this annoying habit of trying to turneverything into a joke, but I know you are under tension and I'll makeallowance for that. Just use the feminine pronoun for Fallom, please.""I will." Trevize hesitated, then, unable to resist, said, "Fallomseems more your surrogate-child every time I see you together. Is itthat you want a child and don't think Janov can give you one?"Bliss's eyes opened wide. "He's not there for children! Do you thinkI use him as a handy device to help me have a child? It is not time forme to have a child, in any case. And when it is time, it will have tobe a Gaian child, something for which Pel doesn't qualify.""You mean Janov will have to be discarded?""Not at all. A temporary diversion, only. It might even be broughtabout by artificial insemination.""I presume you can only have a child when Gaia's decision is thatone is necessary; when there is a gap produced by the death of analready-existing Gaian human fragment.""That is an unfeeling way of putting it, but it is true enough. Gaiamust be well proportioned in all its parts and relationships.""As in the case of the Solarians."Bliss's lips pressed together and her face grew a little white. "Notat all. The Solarians produce more than they need and destroy theexcess. We produce just what we need and there is never a necessity ofdestroying as you replace the dying outer layers of your skin byjust enough new growth for renewal and by not one cell more.""I see what you mean," said Trevize. "I hope, by the way, that youare considering Janov's feelings.""In connection with a possible child for me? That has never come upfor discussion; nor will it.""No, I don't mean that. It strikes me you are becoming moreand more interested in Fallom. Janov may feel neglected.""He's not neglected, and he is as interested in Fallom as I am. Sheis another point of mutual involvement that draws us even closertogether. Can it be that you are the one who feelsneglected?"" I ?" He was genuinely surprised.
"Yes, you. I don't understand Isolates any more than you understandGaia, but I have a feeling that you enjoy being the central point ofattention on this ship, and you may feel cut out by Fallom.""That's foolish.""No more foolish than your suggestion that I am neglecting Pel.""Then let's declare a truce and stop. I'll try to view Fallom as agirl, and I shall not worry excessively about you being inconsiderateof Janov's feelings."Bliss smiled. "Thank you. All is well, then."Trevize turned away, and Bliss then said, "Wait!"Trevize turned back and said, just a bit wearily, "Yes?""It's quite clear to me, Trevize, that you're sad and depressed. I amnot going to probe your mind, but you might be willing to tell me what'swrong. Yesterday, you said there was an appropriate planet in this systemand you seemed quite pleased. It's still there, I hope. The findinghasn't turned out to be mistaken, has it?""There's an appropriate planet in the system, and it's still there,"said Trevize.
"Is it the right size?"Trevize nodded. "Since it's appropriate, it's of the right size. Andit's at the right distance from the star as well.""Well, then, what's wrong?""We're close enough now to analyze the atmosphere. It turns out thatit has none to speak of.""No atmosphere?""None to speak of. It's a nonhabitable planet, and there is no othercircling the sun that has even the remotest capacity for habitability. Wehave come up with zero on this third attempt."62Pelorat, looking grave, was clearly unwilling to intrudeon Trevize's unhappy silence. He watched from the door of the pilot-room,apparently hoping that Trevize would initiate a conversation.
Trevize did not. If ever a silence seemed stubborn, his did.
And finally, Pelorat could stand it no longer, and said, in a rathertimid way, "What are we doing?"Trevize looked up, stared at Pelorat for a moment, turned away,and then said, "We're zeroing in on the planet.""But since there's no atmosphere ""The computer says there's no atmosphere. Till now,it's always told me what I've wanted to hear and I've accepted it. Nowit has told me something I don't want to hear, and I'mgoing to check it. If the computer is ever going to be wrong, this isthe time I want it to be wrong.""Do you think it's wrong?""No; I don't.""Can you think of any reason that might make it wrong?""No, I can't.""Then why are you bothering, Golan?"And Trevize finally wheeled in his seat to face Pelorat, his facetwisted in near-despair, and said, "Don't you see, Janov, that I can'tthink of anything else to do? We drew blanks on the first two worlds asfar as Earth's location is concerned, and now this world is a blank. Whatdo I do now? Wander from world to world, and peer about and say, `Pardonme. Where's Earth?' Earth has covered its tracks too well. Nowhere hasit left any hint. I'm beginning to think that it will see to it thatwe're incapable of picking up a hint even if one exists."Pelorat nodded, and said, "I've been thinking along those linesmyself. Do you mind if we discuss it? I know you're unhappy, old chap,and don't want to talk, so if you want me to leave you alone, I will.""Go ahead, discuss it," said Trevize, with something that wasremarkably like a groan. "What have I got better to do than listen?"Pelorat said, "That doesn't sound as though you really want me to talk,but perhaps it will do us good. Please stop me at any time if you decideyou can stand it no longer. It seems to me, Golan, that Earth neednot take only passive and negative measures to hide itself. It need notmerely wipe out references to itself. Might it not plant false evidenceand work actively for obscurity in that fashion?""How do you mean?""Well, we've heard of Earth's radioactivity in several places,and that sort of thing would be designed to make anyone break off anyattempt to locate it. If it were truly radioactive, it would be totallyunapproachable. In all likelihood, we would not even be able to setfoot on it. Even robot explorers, if we had any, might not survivethe radiation. So why look? And if it is not radioactive, it remainsinviolate, except for accidental approach, and even then it might haveother means of masking itself."Trevize managed a smile. "Oddly enough, Janov, that thought hasoccurred to me. It has even occurred to me that that improbable giantsatellite has been invented and planted in the world's legends. As forthe gas giant with the monstrous ring system, that is equally improbableand may be equally planted. It is all designed, perhaps, to have uslook for something that doesn't exist, so that we go right through thecorrect planetary system, staring at Earth and dismissing it because,in actual fact, it lacks a large satellite or a triple-ringed cousin ora radioactive crust. We don't recognize it, therefore, and don't dreamwe are looking at it. I imagine worse, too."Pelorat looked downcast. "How can there be worse?""Easily when your mind gets sick in the middle of the night andbegins searching the vast realm of fantasy for anything that can deependespair. What if Earth's ability to hide is ultimate? What if our mindscan be clouded? What if we can move right past Earth, with its giantsatellite and with its distant ringed gas giant, and never see any ofit? What if we have already done so?""But if you believe that, why are we ?""I don't say I believe that. I'm talking about mad fancies. We'llkeep on looking."Pelorat hesitated, then said, "For how long, Trevize? At some point,surely, we'll have to give up.""Never," said Trevize fiercely. "If I have to spend the rest of mylife going from planet to planet and peering about and saying, `Please,sir, where's Earth?' then that's what I'll do. At any time, I can takeyou and Bliss and even Fallom, if you wish, back to Gaia and then takeof on my own.""Oh no. You know I won't leave you, Golan, and neither willBliss. We'll go planet-hopping with you, if we must. But why?""Because I must find Earth, and because I will. I don'tknow how, but I will. Now, look, I'm trying to reach a positionwhere I can study the sunlit aide of the planet Without its suit beingtoo close, so just let me be for a while."Pelorat fell silent, but did not leave. He continued to watch whileTrevize studied the planetary image, more than half in daylight, on thescreen. To Pelorat, it seemed featureless, but he knew that Trevize,bound to the computer, saw it under enhanced circumstances.
Trevize whispered, "There's a haze.""Then there must be an atmosphere," blurted out Pelorat.
"Not necessarily much of one. Not enough to support life, butenough to support a thin wind that will raise dust. It's a well-knowncharacteristic of planets with thin atmospheres. There may even besmall polar ice caps. A little water-ice condensed at the poles, youknow. This world is too warm for solid carbon dioxide. I'll haveto switch to radar-mapping. And if I do that I can work more easily onthe nightside.""Really?""Yes. I should have tried it first, but with a virtually airlessand, therefore, cloudless planet, the attempt with visible light seemsso natural."Trevize was silent for a long time, while the viewscreen grew fuzzywith radar-reflections that produced almost the abstraction of a planet,something that an artist of the Cleonian period might have produced. Thenhe said, "Well " emphatically, holding the sound for a while,and was silent again.
Pelorat said, at last, "What's the `well' about?"Trevize looked at him briefly. "No craters that I can see.""No craters? Is that good?""Totally unexpected," said Trevize. His face broke into a grin,"And very good. In fact, possibly magnificent."63Fallom remained with her nose pressed against theship's porthole, where a small segment of the Universe was visible inthe precise form in which the eye saw it, without computer enlargementor enhancement.
Bliss, who had been trying to explain it all, sighed and said in a lowvoice to Pelorat, "I don't know how much she understands, Pel dear. Toher, her father's mansion and a small section of the estate it stoodupon was all the Universe. I don't think she was ever out at night,or ever saw the stars.""Do you really think so?""I really do. I didn't dare show her any part of it until she hadenough vocabulary to understand me just a little and how fortunateit was that you could speak with her in her own language.""The trouble is I'm not very good at it," said Peloratapologetically. "And the Universe is rather hard to grasp if you come atit suddenly. She said to me that if those little lights are giant worlds,each one just like Solaria they're much larger than Solaria, ofcourse that they couldn't hang in nothing. They ought to fall,she says.""And she's right, judging by what she knows. She asks sensiblequestions, and little by little, she'll understand. At least she'scurious and she's not frightened.""The thing is, Bliss, I'm curious, too. Look how Golan changed assoon as he found out there were no craters on the world we're headingfor. I haven't the slightest idea what difference that makes. Do you?""Not a bit. Still he knows much more planetology than we do. We canonly assume he knows what he's doing.""I wish I knew.""Well, ask him."Pelorat grimaced. "I'm always afraid I'll annoy him. I'm sure hethinks I ought to know these things without being told."Bliss said, "That's silly, Pel. He has no hesitation in asking youabout any aspect of the Galaxy's legends and myths which he thinks mightbe useful. You're always willing to answer and explain, so why shouldn'the be? You go ask him. If it annoys him, then he'll have a chance topractice sociability, and that will be good for him.""Will you come with me?""No, of course not. I want to stay with Fallom and continue to tryto get the concept of the Universe into her head. You can always explainit to me afterward once he explains it to you."64Pelorat entered the pilot-room diffidently. He wasdelighted to note that Trevize was whistling to himself and was clearlyin a good mood.
"Golan," he said, as brightly as he could.
Trevize looked up. "Janov! You're always tiptoeing in as thoughyou think it's against the law to disturb me. Close the door and sitdown. Sit down! Look at that thing."He pointed to the planet on the viewscreen, and said, "I haven'tfound more than two or three craters, each quite small.""Does that make a difference, Golan? Really?""A difference? Certainly. How can you ask?"Pelorat gestured helplessly. "It's all a mystery to me. I was ahistory major at college. I took sociology and psychology in addition tohistory, also languages and literature, mostly ancient, and specializedin mythology in graduate school. I never came near planetology, or anyof the physical sciences.""That's no crime, Janov. I'd rather you know what you know. Yourfacility in ancient languages and in mythology has been of enormous useto us. You know that. And when it comes to a matter of planetology,I'll take care of that."He went on, "You see, Janov, planets form through the smashingtogether of smaller objects. The last few objects to collide leave cratermarks. Potentially, that is. If the planet is large enough to be a gasgiant, it is essentially liquid under a gaseous atmosphere and the finalcollisions are just splashes and leave no marks.
"Smaller planets which are solid, whether icy or rocky, do showcrater marks, and these remain indefinitely unless an agency for removalexists. There are three types of removals.
"First, a world may have an icy surface overlying a liquid ocean. Inthat case, any colliding object breaks through the ice and splasheswater. Behind it the ice refreezes and heals the puncture, so tospeak. Such a planet, or satellite, would have to be cold, and wouldnot be what we would consider a habitable world.
"Second, if a planet is intensely active, volcanically, then aperpetual lava flow or ash fallout is forever filling in and obscuringany craters that form. However, such a planet or satellite is not likelyto be habitable either.
"That brings us to habitable worlds as a third case. Such worlds mayhave polar ice caps, but most of the ocean must be freely liquid. They mayhave active volcanoes, but these must be sparsely distributed. Such worldscan neither heal craters, nor fill them in. There are, however, erosioneffects. Wind and flowing water will erode craters, and if there is life,the actions of living things are strongly erosive as well. See?"Pelorat considered that, then said, "But, Golan, I don't understandyou at all. This planet we're approaching ""We'll be landing tomorrow," said Trevize cheerfully.
"This planet we're approaching doesn't have an ocean.""Only some thin polar ice caps.""Or much of an atmosphere.""Only a hundredth the density of the atmosphere on Terminus.""Or life.""Nothing I can detect.""Then what could have eroded away the craters?""An ocean, an atmosphere, and life," said Trevize. "Look, if thisplanet had been airless and waterless from the start, any craters that hadbeen formed would still exist and the whole surface would be cratered. Theabsence of craters proves it can't have been airless and waterless fromthe start, and may even have had a sizable atmosphere and ocean in thenear past. Besides, there are huge basins, visible on this world, thatmust have held seas, and oceans once, to say nothing of the marks ofrivers that are now dry. So you see there was erosion andthat erosion has ceased so short a time ago, that new cratering has notyet had time to accumulate."Pelorat looked doubtful. "I may not be a planetologist, but it seems tome that if a planet is large enough to hang on to a dense atmosphere forperhaps billions of years, it isn't going to suddenly lose it, is it?""I shouldn't think so," said Trevize. "But this world undoubtedlyheld life before its atmosphere vanished, probably human life. My guessis that it was a terraformed world as almost all the human-inhabitedworlds of the Galaxy are. The trouble is that we don't really know whatits condition was before human life arrived, or what was done to it inorder to make it comfortable for human beings, or under what conditions,actually, life vanished. There may have been a catastrophe that suckedoff the atmosphere and that brought about the end of human life. Or theremay have been some strange imbalance on this planet that human beingscontrolled as long as they were here and that went into a vicious cycleof atmospheric reduction once they were gone. Maybe we'll find the answerwhen we land, or maybe we won't. It doesn't matter.""But surely neither does it matter if there was life here once,if there isn't now. What's the difference if a planet has always beenuninhabitable, or is only uninhabitable now?""If it is only uninhabitable now, there will be ruins of the one-timeinhabitants.""There were ruins on Aurora ""Exactly, but on Aurora there had been twenty thousand years of rainand snow, freezing and thawing, wind and temperature change. And therewas also life don't forget life: There may not have been humanbeings there, but there was plenty of life. Ruins can be eroded justas craters can. Faster. And in twenty thousand years, not enough wasleft to do us any good. Here on this planet, however, there hasbeen a passage of time, perhaps twenty thousand years, perhaps less,without wind, or storm, or life. There has been temperature change,I admit, but that's all. The ruins will be in good shape.""Unless," murmured Pelorat doubtfully, "there are no ruins. Is itpossible that there was never any life on the planet, or never any humanlife at any rate, and that the loss of the atmosphere was due to someevent that human beings had nothing to do with?""No, no," said Trevize. "You can't turn pessimist on me, because itwon't work. Even from here, I've spotted the remains of what I'm surewas a city. So we land tomorrow."65Bliss said, in a worried tone, "Fallom is convincedwe're going to take her back to Jemby, her robot.""Umm," said Trevize, studying the surface of the world as it slidback under the drifting ship. Then he looked up as though he had heardthe remark only after a delay. "Well, it was the only parent she knew,wasn't it?""Yes, of course, but she thinks we've come back to Solaria.""Does it look like Solaria?""How would she know?""Tell her it's not Solaria. Look, I'll give you one or two referencebookfilms with graphic illustrations. Show her close-ups of a numberof different inhabited worlds and explain that there are millions ofthem. You'll have time for it. I don't know how long Janov and I willhave to wander around, once we pick a likely target and land.""You and Janov?""Yes. Fallom can't come with us, even if I wanted her to, which Iwould only want if I were a madman. This world requires space suits,Bliss. There's no breathable air. And we don't have a space suit thatwould fit Fallom. So she and you stay on the ship.""Why I?"Trevize's lips stretched into a humorless smile. "I admit," he said,"I would feel safer if you were along, but we can't leave Fallom onthis ship alone. She can do damage even if she doesn't mean to. I musthave Janov with me because he might be able to make out whatever archaicwriting they have here. That means you will have to stay with Fallom. Ishould think you would want to."Bliss looked uncertain.
Trevize said, "Look. You wanted Fallom along, when I didn't. I'mconvinced she'll be nothing but trouble. So her presence introducesconstraints, and you'll have to adjust yourself to that. She's here,so you'll have to be here, too. That's the way it is."Bliss sighed. "I suppose so.""Good. Where's Janov?""He's with Fallom.""Very well. Go and take over. I want to talk to him."Trevize was still studying the planetary surface when Pelorat walkedin, clearing his throat to announce his presence. He said, "Is anythingwrong, Golan?""Not exactly wrong, Janov. I'm just uncertain. This is a peculiar worldand I don't know what happened to it. The seas must have been extensive,judging from the basins left behind, but they were shallow. As nearly as Ican tell from the traces left behind, this was a world of desalinizationand canals or perhaps the seas weren't very salty. If they weren'tvery salty, that would account for the absence of extensive salt flatsin the basins. Or else, when the ocean was lost, the salt content waslost with it which certainly makes it look like a human deed."Pelorat said hesitantly, "Excuse my ignorance about such things,Golan, but does any of this matter as far as what we are looking foris concerned?""I suppose not, but I can't help being curious. If I knew just howthis planet was terraformed into human habitability and what it was likebefore terraforming, then perhaps I would understand what has happenedto it after it was abandoned or just before, perhaps. And if wedid know what happened to it, we might be forewarned against unpleasantsurprises.""What kind of surprises? It's a dead world, isn't it?""Dead enough. Very little water; thin, unbreathable atmosphere;and Bliss detects no signs of mental activity.""That should settle it, I should think.""Absence of mental activity doesn't necessarily imply lack oflife.""It must surely imply lack of dangerous life.""I don't know. But that's not what I want to consult youabout. There are two cities that might do for our first inspection. Theyseem to be in excellent shape; all the cities do. Whatever destroyed theair and oceans did not seem to touch the cities. Anyway, those two citiesare particularly large. The larger, however, seems to be short on emptyspace. There are spaceports far in the outskirts but nothing in the cityitself. The one not so large does have empty space, so it will be easierto come down in its midst, though not in formal spaceports but then,who would care about that?"Pelorat grimaced. "Do you want me to make the decision,Golan?""No, I'll make the decision. I just want your thoughts.""For what they're worth, a large sprawling city is likely to be acommercial or manufacturing center. A smaller city with open space islikely to be an administrative center. It's the administrative centerwe'd want. Does it have monumental buildings?""What do you mean by a monumental building?"Pelorat smiled his tight little stretching of the lips. "Iscarcely know. Fashions change from world to world and from time totime. I suspect, though, that they always look large, useless, andexpensive. Like the place where weeeere on Comporellon."Trevize smiled in his turn. "It's hard to tell looking straightdown, and when I get a sideways glance as weeapproach or leave, it'stoo confusing. Why do you prefer the administrative center?""That's where we're likely to find the planetary museum, library,archives, university, and so on.""Good. That's where we'll go, then; the smaller city. And maybewe'll find something. We've had two misses, but maybe we'll find somethingthis time.""Perhaps it will be three times lucky."Trevize raised his eyebrows. "Where did you get that phrase?""It's an old one," said Pelorat. "I found it in an ancient legend. Itmeans success on the third try, I should think.""That sounds right," said Trevize. "Very well, then three timeslucky, Janov."

回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第十五章 苔藓
  66
穿上了太空衣的崔维兹看来奇形怪状,唯一露在外面的只有两个装武器的皮套——不是他通常系在臀部的那两个,而是太空衣本身附的坚固皮套。他小心地将手铣插入右侧皮套,再将神经鞭插在左侧。两件武器都已再度充电,而这一次,崔维兹忿忿地想,任何力量都别想将它们夺走。
宝绮思带着微笑说:“你还是准备携带武器?这只是个没有空气和——算了!我再也不会质疑你的决定。”
“很好!”崔维兹说着,便转过身去帮裴洛拉特调整头盔,他自己的头盔则还没戴上。
裴洛拉特从未穿过太空衣,他可怜兮兮地问道:“我在这里面真能呼吸吗,葛兰?”
“绝对可以。”崔维兹说。
他们将最后的接缝合上的时候,宝绮思站在一旁观看,手臂揽着菲龙的肩膀。小索拉利人惊恐万分地瞪着两件撑起的太空衣,全身不停打颤。宝绮思的手臂温柔地紧搂着她,为她带来一点安全感。
气闸打开之后,两位“太空人”便走进去,同时伸出鼓胀的手臂挥手道别。接着气闸关闭,主闸门随即开启,于是他们拖着沉着的步伐,踏上一块死气沉沉的土地。
现在是黎明时分,不过太阳尚未升起。天空当然绝对晴朗,泛着一种、紫色的光芒。日出方向的地平线色彩较淡,看得出那一带有些薄雾。
裴洛拉特说:“天气很冷。”
“你觉得冷吗?”崔维兹讶异地问。太空衣的绝热效果百分之百,若说温度偶有不适,应该是内部温度过高,需要将体热排放出去。
裴洛拉特说:“一点也没有,可是你看——”他的声音透过无线电波传到崔维兹的耳朵,听来十分清楚。他一面说,一面伸出手指来指了一下。
他们正向一座建筑物走去,在黎明的紫色曙光中,它斑驳的石质正面覆盖着一层白霜。
崔维兹说:“由于大气太稀薄,夜间会变得比你想像的更冷,白天则会非常炎热。现在正是一天之中最冷的时刻,还要再过好几小时,才会热得无法站在太阳底下。”
他的话就像神秘的魔咒一样,才刚说完,太阳的外轮就出现在地平线上。
“别瞪着它看,”崔维兹不急不徐地说:“虽然你的面板会反光,紫外线也无法穿透,但那样做还是有危险。”
他转身背对着冉冉上升的太阳,让细长的身影投射在那座建筑物上。由于阳光的出现,白霜在他眼前迅速消失。一会儿之后,墙壁因潮湿而颜色加深,伹不久便完全晒干。
崔维兹说:“现在看起来,这些建筑物不像从空中看来那么完好,到处都有龟裂和剥离的痕迹。我想这是温度剧变造成的结果,而另一个原因,则是少量的水分夜晚冻结白天又融解,可能已经持续了两万年。”
裴洛拉特说:“入口处上方的石头刻了些字,可是已经斑驳得难以辨识。”
“你能不能认出来,詹诺夫?”
“大概是某种金融机构,至少我认出好像有‘银行’两个宇。”
“那是什么?”
“处理资产的贮存、提取、交易、投资、借贷等等业务的地方——如果我猜得没错的话。”
“整座建筑物都用来做这个?没有电脑?”
“没有完全被电脑取代。”
崔维兹耸了耸肩,他发现古代历史的细节没什么意思。
他们四下走动,脚步越来越快,在每栋建筑物停留的时间也越来越短。此地一片死寂,令人感觉心情沉着到极点。经过数千年缓慢的崩溃过程,他们闯入的这座城市已变成一副残骸,除了枯骨之外什么都没留下。
他们目前的位置是标准的温带,可是在崔维兹的想像中,他的背部能感受到太阳的热量。
站在崔维兹右侧约一百公尺处的裴洛拉特,突然高声叫道:“看那里!”
崔维兹的耳朵嗡嗡作响,他说:“不要吼,詹诺夫。不论你离我多远,我也听得清楚你的耳语。那是什么?”
裴洛拉特立刻降低音量说:“这栋建筑物叫作‘外世界会馆’,至少,我认为那些铭文是这个意思。”
崔维兹走到他身边。他们面前是一栋三层楼的建筑,顶端的线条并不规则,而且堆了许多大块岩石碎片,仿佛那里原来竖着一座雕像,但早已倾塌得支离破碎。
“你确定吗?”崔维兹说。
“如果我们进去,就能知道答案。”
他们爬了五级低矮宽阔的台阶,又穿越一个过大的广场。在稀薄的空气中,他们的金属鞋踏在地上,只引起算不上脚步声的轻微震荡。
“我明白你所谓‘大而无当、豪华奢侈’是什么意思了。”崔维兹喃喃说道。
他们走进一间宽广高耸的大厅,阳光从高处的窗口射进来。室内有阳光直射的部分过于刺眼,阴影部分却又过于昏暗,这是由于空气稀薄,几乎无法散射光线的缘故。
大厅中央有座比真人高大的人像,似乎是用合成石料制成。其中一只手臂已经脱落,另一只臂膀处也出现裂痕。崔维兹觉得如果用力一拍,那只手臂也缓螈刻脱离主体。于是他退了几步,仿佛担心如果过于接近,他会忍不住做出破坏艺术品的恶劣行为。
“不晓得这人是谁?”崔维兹说:“到处都没有标示。我想当初竖立这座石像的那些人,认为他的名气实在太大,因此不需要任何识别文字。可是现在……”他发觉自己有越来越犬儒的危险,赶紧将注意力转移别处。
裴洛拉特正抬着头向上看,崔维兹沿着他的目光望去,看到墙上有些标记——那是铭文,不过崔维兹完全看不懂。
“不可思议,”裴洛拉特说:“也许已经过了两万年,但是在这里,恰巧避开了阳光和湿气,它们仍可辨识。”
“我可看不懂。”崔维兹说。
“那是种古老的字体,而且还是用美术字写的。让我来看看……七……一……二……”他的声音越来越小,突然又高声道:“一共列有五十个名字。据说外世界共有五十个,而这里又是外世界会馆,因此,我推测这些就是五十个外世界的名字。也许是根据创建的先后顺序排列,奥罗拉排第一,索拉利是最后一个。如果你仔细看,会发现它共有七行,前面六行各有七个名字,最后一行则有八个。好像他们原先计划排成七乘七的方阵,后来才将索拉利加上去。根据我的猜测,老弟,这份名单制作之初,索拉利尚未改造,上面还没有任何人居住。”
“我们现在踏在哪个世界上?你看得出来吗?”
裴洛拉特说:“你可以注意到,第三行第五个,也就是排名第十九的世界,它的名字刻得比其他世界大些。名单制作者似乎相当自我中心,特别要突显他们自己的地位。此外……”
“它的名字是什么?”
“根据我所能做的最佳判断,它应该叫作‘梅尔波美尼亚’,这个名字我完全陌生。”
“有没有可能代表地球?”
裴洛拉特使劲摇头,但由于被头盔罩住,所以摇也是白摇。“在古老的传说中,地球有好几十个不同的名称。盖娅是其中之一,这你是知道的,此外泰宁、尔达等等也是,它们一律都很简短。我不知道地球有较长的别名,甚至不知道有任何别名接近梅尔波美尼亚的简称。”
“那么,我们是在梅尔波美尼亚星上,而它并非地球。”
“没错。此外——其实我刚才正要说——除了字体较大,还有一项更好的佐证,就是梅尔波美尼亚的坐标是(O,O,O)。一般说来,这个坐标指的是自己的行星。”
“坐标?”崔维兹愣了一下,“这份名单上也有坐标?”
“每个世界旁边都有三个数字,我想那些就是坐标,否则还能是什么?”
崔维兹没有回答。他打开位于太空衣右股的一个小套袋,掏出一件与套袋有电线相连的精巧装置。他将那装置凑到眼前,对着墙上的铭文仔细调整焦距。通常这只需要几秒钟的时间,可是他的手指包在太空衣内,因此这件工作变得极为吃力。
“照相机吗?”裴洛拉特这是多此一问。
“它能将影像直接输入太空船的电脑。”崔维兹答道。
他从不同角度拍了几张相片,然后说:“等一下!我得站高一点。帮我个忙,詹诺夫。”
裴洛拉特双手紧紧互握,做成马蹬状,崔维兹却摇了摇头。“那样无法支撑我的着量,你得趴下去。”
裴洛拉特吃力地依言照做,崔维兹将照相机塞回套袋,同样吃力地踏上裴洛拉特的肩头,再爬上石像的基座。他谨慎地摇了摇石像,测试它是否牢固,然后踩在石像弯曲的膝部,用它作踏脚石,身子向上一挺,抓到断臂的那个肩膀。他将脚尖嵌进石像胸前凹凸不平处,慢慢向上攀爬,喘了好几回之后,终于坐到石像肩膀上。对那些早已逝去的古人而言,这个石像是他们尊崇的对象,崔维兹的行为似乎可算一种亵渎。他越想越不对劲,因此尽量坐得轻点。
“你会跌下来受伤的。”裴洛拉特忧心忡忡地叫道。
“我不会跌下来受伤,你却可能把我震聋。”说完,崔维兹再度取出照相机。拍了几张相片后,他又将照相机放回原处,小心翼翼地爬下来,直到双脚踏上基座,才纵身跃向地面。这下震动显然造成致命的一击,石像另一只手臂立刻脱落,在它脚旁跌成一小堆碎石。整个过程完全听不到一点声音。
崔维兹僵立在原处。他兴起的第一个冲动,竟是在管理员赶来抓人之前,尽快找个地方躲起来。真是难以想像,他事后回想,在这种情况下——不小心弄坏一件看似珍贵的东西——一个人怎么立刻就回到童年。这种感觉虽然只持续一下子,却触及了他的心灵深处。
裴洛拉特的声音听来有气无力,像是自己目睹甚至教唆了一件破坏艺术品的行为。不过,他还是设法说些安慰的话:“这——这没什么关系,葛兰,反正它已经摇摇欲坠。”
他走近碎石四散的基座与地板,仿佛想要证明这点。他刚伸出手来,准备捡起一块较大的碎片,却突然说:“葛兰,过来这里。”
崔维兹走过去,裴洛拉特指着地上一块碎石,它原来显然是那只完好手臂的一部分。“那是什么?”裴洛拉特问。
崔维兹仔细一看,那是片毛茸茸的东西,颜色是鲜绿色。他用包在太空衣中的手指轻轻一擦,毫下费力地将它刮掉了。
“看起来非常像苔藓。”崔维兹说。
“就是你所谓欠缺心灵的生命?”
“我不完全确定它们欠缺心灵到什么秤谌。我猜想,宝绮思会坚持这东西也有意识——可是她会声称连这块石头也有意识。”
裴洛拉特说:“这块岩石所以会断裂,你认为是不是这些苔藓的缘故?”
崔维兹说:“说它们是帮凶我绝不怀疑。这个世界有充足的阳光,也有些水分,大气的一半都是水蒸气,此外还有氮气和惰性气体。可是二氧化碳却只有一点点,因此会使人误以为没有植物生命——但二氧化碳含量之所以这么低,也可能是因为几乎全并入了岩石表层。假使这块岩石含有一些碳酸盐,也许苔藓便会藉着分泌酸液使它分解,再利用所产生的二氧化碳。在这颗行星残存的生命中,它们可能是最主要的一种。”
“实在有趣。”裴洛拉特说。
“的确如此,”崔维兹说:“可是趣味有限。外世界的坐标其实更有趣,但我们真正想要的是地球坐标。如果地球坐标不在这里,也许藏在这座建筑的其他角落,或是其他建筑物中。来吧,詹诺夫。”
“可是你知道……”裴洛拉特说。
“好了,好了,”崔维兹下耐烦地说:“待会儿再说吧。我们必须找一找,看看这座建筑还能提供什么线索。气温越来越高了——”他看了看附在左手背上的小型温标,“来吧,詹诺夫。”
他们拖着沉着的步伐一间一间寻找,尽可能将脚步放轻。这样做并非担心会发出声响,或是担心让别人听到,而是他们有点不好意思,唯恐引起震动而造成进一步的破坏。
他们踢起一些尘埃,留下许多足迹。在稀薄的空气中,尘埃稍微扬起一点,便又迅速落回地面。
偶尔经过某些阴暗的角落时,其中一人会默默指出更多正在蔓生的苔藓。发现此地有生命存在,不论层次多么低,似乎仍然令人感到一丝安慰。连带地,走在一个死寂世界所引发的可怕而令人窒息的感觉,也因此稍显舒缓。尤其像这样一个世界,四周到处是人类的遗迹,在在显示很久以前,此地曾经有过一段精致的文明。
然后,裴洛拉特说:“我想这里一定是个图书馆。”
崔维兹好奇地四下张望,先是看到一些书架,细看之下,旁边原来以为只是装饰品的东西,奸像应该是书。他小心翼翼地想拿起一个,却发现它们又厚又着,才明白原来那些只是盒子。他笨手笨脚地打开一盒,看到里面有几片圆盘。那些圆盘也都很厚,他没伸手去摸,但它们似乎非常脆弱。
“原始得难以置信。”他说。
“数千年前的东西嘛。”裴洛拉特以歉然的口气说,仿佛在帮古老的梅尔波美尼亚人辩护,驳斥对他们科技落后的指控。
崔维兹指着一支胶卷书的侧背,那里有些模糊不清的古代花体字。“这是书名吗?它叫什么?”
裴洛拉特研究了一下。“我不很确定,老友。但我想其中有个字指的是微观生命,也许就是‘微生物’的意思。我猜这些是微生物学的专用术语,即使译成银河标准语我也不懂。”
“有可能。”崔维兹懊丧地说:“即使我们读得懂,同样可能对我们没任何帮助,我们对细菌可没有兴趣——帮我个忙,詹诺夫,浏览一下这些书籍,看看是否有任何有趣的书名。你做这事的时候,我正好可以检查一下阅读机。”
“这些就是阅读机吗?”裴洛拉特以怀疑的口吻说。他指的是一些矮胖的立方体,上面部有倾斜的屏幕,还有个弧形的突出部分,也许可以用来支撑手肘,或是放置电子笔记板——假如梅尔波美尼亚也有这种装置。
崔维兹说:“假如这里是图书馆,就一定有某种阅读机,而这台机器看来似乎很像。”
他万分谨慎地将屏幕上的灰尘擦掉,立刻感到松了一口气,不论这个屏幕是什么材料做的,至少没有一碰之下便化成粉末。他轻轻拨弄着控制钮,一个接一个,结果什么反应都没有。他又改试其他的阅读机,换了一台又一台,却始终得不到任何结果。
他并不惊讶,即使空气稀薄,这些装置又不受水蒸气的影响,以致两万年后还能维持正常功能,然而电力来源仍是一大问题。贮存起来的能量总有办法散逸,不论如何防止都没用。这个事实源自无所不在又无可抗拒的热力学第二定律。
裴洛拉特来到他身后,唤道:“葛兰。”
“啊?”
“我找到一支胶卷书……”
“哪一类的?”
“我想是有关太空飞行的历史。”
“好极了——但我若是无法启动这台阅读机,它对我们就没有任何用处。”他双手紧捏成拳,显得十分沮丧。
“我们可以把胶卷带回太空船去。”
“我不知道怎样用我们的阅读机读它,根本装不进去,我们的扫描系统也一定不相容。”
“但真有必要这么费事吗,葛兰?如果我们……”
“的确有必要,詹诺夫。现在别打扰我,我正想要决定该怎么做。我可以试着给阅读机充点电,也许那是它唯一欠缺的。”
“你要从哪里取得电力?”
“嗯——”崔维兹掏出那两件随身武器,看了几眼,又将手铣塞回皮套。然后他“啪”一声打开神经鞭的外壳,检查了一下能量供应指标,发现处于满载状态。
崔维兹趴到地板上,将手伸到阅读机背面(他一直假设那就是阅读机),试图将它往前推。那台机器向前移动了一点,他便开始研究他的新发现。
其中一条电缆必定用来供应电源,当然就是连接到墙壁的那条,可是他找不到明显的插头或接头。(连最理所当然的事物都令人摸不着头脑,他该如何面对这个外星古文化?)
他轻拉一下那条电缆,又稍微用力试了试,再将电缆转向一侧,接着又向另一侧转。他按了按电缆附近的墙壁,又压了压墙壁旁边的电缆。然后,他转移注意,开始努力研究阅读机的半隐藏式背面,结果一样徒劳无功。
于是他单手按着地板准备起身,结果在身子站直的一瞬间,电缆被他拉了起来。究竟是哪个动作将它扯掉的,他自己也不知道。
电缆看来没有断开或被扯裂,末端似乎相当平整,它原来与墙壁连接的地方出现一个光滑的小圆洞。
裴洛拉特轻声说:“葛兰,我可不可……”
崔维兹朝他断然挥了挥手。“现在别说话,詹诺夫,拜托!”
他突然发觉左手手套的皱褶黏着些绿色的东西,这一定是刚才从阅读机背面沾到的苔藓,而且被压碎了。那只手套因此有点潮湿,伹在他眼前又很快干掉,绿色的斑点渐渐变成褐色。
他将注意力转到电缆上,仔细观察被扯掉的那端。那里果然有两个小孔,可以容纳两条电线。
他又坐到地板上,打开神经鞭的电源匣,小心翼翼拆除一条电线,再“咔答”一声将它扯开。然后他慢慢地、轻巧地将那根电线插进小孔,一直推到再也推不动为止。当他试着轻轻拉它出来的时候,竟然发现拉不动了,好像被什么东西抓住一样。他第一个反应是想用力拉它出来,不过总算按捺住这个冲动。他又拆下另一条电线,推进另一个开口。这样想必就能构成一个回路,可以将电力输到阅读机中。
“詹诺夫,”他说:“你看过各式各样的胶卷书,试试看有没有办法把那本书插进去。”
“真有必……”
“拜托,詹诺夫,你总是问些无关紧要的问题。我们只有这么一点时间,我可不要弄到三更半夜,温度低得受不了才能回去。”
“它一定是这么放,”裴洛拉特说:“可是……”
“好,”崔维兹说:“如果这是本太空飞行史,就一定会从地球谈起,因为太空飞行最早是在地球发明的——我们看看这玩意现在能否启动。”
裴洛拉特将胶卷书放进显然是插口的地方,动作有点夸张。然后他开始研究各种控制键钮旁的标示,想找找有没有任何操作说明。
在一旁等候的崔维兹低声道(部分原因是为了舒缓自己紧张的情绪):“我想这个世界上一定也有机器人——到处都有;显然处于良好状况:在近乎真空的环境中闪闪发光。问题是它们的电力同样早已枯竭,即使着新充电,它们的脑部是否完好?杠杆和齿轮也许能维持好几千年,可是它们脑部的微型开关和次原子机簧呢?它们的脑子一定坏掉了,就算仍完好如初,它们对地球又知道多少?它们又……”
裴洛拉特说:“阅读机开始工作了,老弟,看这里。”
在昏暗的光线下,阅读机屏幕开始闪烁,不过光度相当微弱。崔维兹将神经鞭供应的电力稍微加强,屏幕随即转趋明后。由于空气稀薄的缘故,太阳直射下到的地方都暗淡无光,因此室内一片蒙胧幽暗,屏幕在对比之下显得更为明后。
屏幕继续一闪一灭,偶尔还掠过一些阴影。
“需要调整一下焦距。”崔维兹说。
“我知道,”裴洛拉特说:“伹这似乎是我能得到的最好结果,胶卷本身一定损坏了。”
现在阴影来去的速度变得很快,而且每隔一会儿,似乎就会出现一个类似漫画的模糊画面。后来画面一度转为清晰,随即再度暗淡下来。
“倒转回去,褂讪在那个画面上,詹诺夫。”崔维兹说。
裴洛拉特已在试着那样做,但他倒回去太多,只好又向前播放,最后终于找到那个画面,将它褂讪在屏幕上。
崔维兹急着想看看内容是什么,但随即以充满挫折的口吻说:“你读得懂吗,詹诺夫?”
“不完全懂。”裴洛拉特一面说,一面眯着眼睛盯着屏幕。“是关于奥罗拉,这点我看得出来。我想它在讲述第一波的超空间远征——‘首度蜂拥’,上面这么写着。”
他继续往下看,可是画面又变得模糊暗淡。最后他终于说:“我所看得懂的片断,似乎全是有关外世界的事迹,我找不到任何有关地球的记载。”
崔维兹苦涩地说:“没有,不会有的。就像川陀一样,这个世界上的地球资料已清除殆尽——把这东西关掉吧。”
“可是没有关系……”裴洛拉特一面说,一面关掉阅读机。
“因为我们可以去别的图书馆碰碰运气?别的地方也被清干净了,每个地方都一样。你可知道——”崔维兹说话时一直望着裴洛拉特,现在却突然瞪大眼睛,脸上露出惊恶交集的表情。“你的面板是怎么回事?”他问道。
67
裴洛拉特自然而然举起戴着手套的手,摸了摸自己的面板,又将那只手伸到眼前。
“这是什么东西?”他的声音充满困惑。然后,他望着崔维兹,大惊小敝地叫道:“你的面板上也有些奇怪的东西,葛兰。”
崔维兹第一个反应就是想找面镜子照一照,可是附近根本找不到,即使真的有,也还需要一盏灯光。他喃喃说道:“到有阳光的地方去,好吗?”
崔维兹半推半拉着裴洛拉特,来到最近的一扇窗户旁,两人置身在一束阳光下。虽然太空衣有良好的绝热效果,他的背部仍能感到阳光的热度。
他说:“面对着太阳,詹诺夫,把眼睛闭上。”
他立刻看出裴洛拉特的面板出了什么问题。在玻璃面板与金属化太空衣的接合处,正繁殖着茂密的苔藓,以致面板周围多了一圈绿色的绒毛。崔维兹明白,自己的情形也完全一样。
他用带着手套的一根手指头,在裴洛拉特的面板四周刮了一下,苔藓随即掉落一些,绿色的碎层都沾在他的手套上。崔维兹将它们摊在阳光下,看得出它们虽然闪闪发后,却似乎很快就变硬变干。他又试了一次,这回苔藓变得又干又脆,一碰就掉,而且渐渐转为褐色。于是,他开始用力擦拭裴洛拉特的面板周围。
“也帮我这样做,詹诺夫。”一会儿之后,他又问道:“我看来干净了吗?很好,你也一样。我们走吧,我认为这里没有再待下去的必要。”
在这个没有空气的废城里,太阳的热度已经使人难以忍受。石造建筑物映着后闪闪的光芒,几乎会刺痛人的眼睛。崔维兹眯起眼来才敢逼视那些建筑,而且尽可能走在街道有阴影的一侧。他在某个建筑物正面的一道裂缝前停下脚步,那道裂缝相当宽,足以让他带着手套的小指伸进去。他把手指伸进去,再抽回来一看,喃喃说道:“苔藓。”
然后,他刻意走到阴影的尽头,将沾着苔藓的小指伸出来,在阳光下曝晒了一会儿。
他说:“二氧化碳是个关键,能得到二氧化碳的地方——腐朽的岩石也好,任何地方都好——它们都有办法生长。我们会产生大量的二氧化碳,你知道,也许还是这颗垂死行星上最丰富的二氧化碳源。我想,这种气体有少部分从面板边缘漏了出去。”
“所以苔藓会在那里生长。”
“对。”
返回太空艇的路途似乎很长,比黎明时分所走的那段路长得多,当然也炎热许多。不过当他们到达太空艇后,发现它仍处于阴影之下,这一点,崔维兹的计算至少是正确的。
裴洛拉特说:“你看!”
崔维兹看到了,主闸门边缘围着一圈绿色的苔藓。
“那里也在漏?”袭洛拉特问。
“当然啦。我确定只有一点点,不过这种苔藓似乎是微量二氧化碳的最佳指标,我从未听过有什么仪器比它们更灵敏。它们的孢子一定无所不在,哪怕只有几个二氧化碳分子的地方,那些孢子也会萌芽。”他将无线电调整到太空艇用的波长,又说:“宝绮思,你能听到吗?”
宝绮思的声音在他们两人耳中响起。“可以,你们准备进来了吗?有什么收获吗?”
“我们就在外面。”崔维兹说:“可是千万别打开气闸,我们会由外面开启。着复一遍,千万别打开气闸。”
“为什么?”
“宝绮思,你先照我的话做,好不好?等一下我们可以好好讨论。”
崔维兹拔出手铣,仔细地将强度调到最低,然后瞪着这柄武器,显得犹豫不决,因为他从未用过最低强度。他环顾四周,却找不到较脆弱的物体当试验品。
在无可奈何的情况下,他将手铣瞄准旁边的岩质山丘,远星号便是栖息在那山丘的阴影下——结果目标并未变得红热。他很自然地摸了摸射中的部位——有温热的感觉吗?由于穿着绝热质料的太空衣,他一点也无法确定。
他又迟疑了一下,然后想到,太空艇外壳的抗热能力,无论如何应与山丘处于同一数量级。于是他将手铣对准闸门外缘,很快按了一下扳机,同时屏住了气息。
几公分范围内的苔藓类植物,立坑诩变成黄褐色。他抬手在变色的苔藓附近挥了一下,稀薄的空气中便产生一丝微风,但即使是一丝微风,也足以将这些焦黄的残渣吹得四散纷飞。
“有效吗?”裴洛拉特焦切地问道。
“的确有效,”崔维兹说:“我将手铣调成低能量的热线。”
他开始沿着气闸周围喷洒热线,那些鲜绿的附着物随即变色,再也不见一丝绿意。然后他敲了敲主闸门,将残留的附着物震下,一团褐色的灰尘便飘落地面——由于这团灰尘实在太细,被微量的气体一托,还在稀薄的空气中飘荡许久。
“我想现在可以打开闸门了。”崔维兹说完,便用手腕上的控制器拍出一组无线电波密码,从太空艇内部启动开启机制,闸门随即出现一道隙缝。等到闸门打开一半时,崔维兹说:“不要浪费时间,詹诺夫,赶快进去——别等踏板了,爬进去吧。”
崔维兹自己紧跟在后,还一直用调低强度的手铣喷着闸门边缘,随后放下的踏板也依样消毒一遍。然后他才发出关闭闸门的讯号,同时继续喷洒热线,直到闸门完全关闭为止。
崔维兹说:“我们已经进了气闸,宝绮思。我们会在这里待几分钟,你还是什么都别做!”
宝绮思的声音传了过来。“给我一点提示,你们都还好吗?裴怎么样?”
裴洛拉特说:“我在这里,宝绮思,而且好得很,没什么好担心的。”
“你这么说就好,裴,可是待会儿一定要有个解释,我希望你了解这一点。”
“一言为定。”崔维兹说着打开气闸中的灯光。
两个穿着太空衣的人面对面站着。
崔维兹说道:“我们要将这个行星的空气尽量抽出去,所以我们得耐心等一会儿。”
“太空船的空气呢?要不要放进来?”
“暂时不要。我跟你一样急着挣脱这套太空衣,詹诺夫。但我先要确定我们完全排除了跟我们一块进来,或是黏在我们身上的孢子。”
藉着气闸灯光差强人意的照明作用,崔维兹将手铣对准闸门与艇体的内侧接缝,很有规律地先沿着地板喷洒热线,然后向上走,绕了一圈后又回到地板。
“现在轮到你了,詹诺夫。”
裴洛拉特不安地扭动了一下,崔维兹又说:“你大概会感到有点热,但应该不会有更糟的感觉。如果你开始觉得不舒服,说一声就行了。”
他将不可见的光束对准裴洛拉特的面板喷洒,尤其是边缘部分,然后一步步扩及太空衣其他部分。
“抬起两只手臂,詹诺夫。”他喃喃地发号施令,接着又说:“把双臂放到我的肩膀上广抬起一条腿来,我必须清理你的鞋底。现在换另一只脚——你觉得太热吗?”
裴洛拉特说:“不怎么像沐浴在凉风中,葛兰。”
“好啦,现在让我尝尝自己的处方是什么滋味,帮我全身也喷一喷。”
“我从来没拿过手铣。”
“你一定要拿住,像这样抓紧,用你的拇指按这个小按钮——同时用力压紧皮套,对,就是这样。现在对着我的面板喷,不停地慢慢移动,詹诺夫,别在一处停留太久。再对着头盔其他部分喷,然后往下走,对准面颊和颈部。”
崔维兹不断下着命令,当他全身都被喷得热呼呼,出了一身又黏又腻的汗水之后,他才将手铣收回来,检查了一下能量指标。
“已经用掉一大半。”说完,他开始很有系统地喷洒气闸内部,每面舱壁都来回喷了好几遍。直到手铣电力用罄,而且由于迅速持久的放电变得烫手,他才将手铣收回皮套中。
此时,他才发出进入太空艇的讯号。内门打开时,立刻传来一阵嘶嘶声,空气随即涌入气闸,令他精神为之一振。空气的清凉以及对流的作用,能将太空衣的热量急速带走,效率比单纯的辐射高出许多倍。他的确马上感到冷却效果,也许那只是一种想像,然而不论想像与否,他都十分欢迎这种感觉。
“脱掉你的太空衣,詹诺夫,把它留在气闸里面。”崔维兹说。
“如果你不介意的话,”裴洛拉特说:“我想做的第一件事,就是好好冲一个澡。”
“那不是第一优先。事实上,在此之前,甚至在你抒解膀胱压力之前,恐怕你得先跟宝绮思谈一谈。”
宝绮思当然在等待他们,脸上流露出关切的神情。菲龙则躲在她后面探头探脑,双手紧紧抓住宝绮思的左臂。
“发生了什么事?”宝绮思以严厉的口吻问道:“你们到底在做什么?”
“为了预防传染病,”崔维兹以讽刺的口吻答道。“所以我要打开紫外辐射灯。取出墨镜戴上,请勿耽搁时间。”
等到紫外线加入壁光之后,崔维兹将湿透的衣服一件件脱下来,每件都用力甩了甩,还拿在手中翻来覆去转了半天。
“只是为了预防万一,”他说:“你也这样做,詹诺夫——还有,宝绮思,我全身都得剥个精光,如果那会让你不自在,请到隔壁舱房去。”
宝绮思说:“我既不会不自在,也绝不会尴尬。你的模样我心里完全有数,我当然不会看到什么新鲜东西——是什么样的传染病?”
“只是些小东西,但如果任其自由发展的话,”崔维兹故意用轻描淡写的语气说:“会给人类带来极大的灾害,我这么想。”
68
一切终于告一段落,紫外辐射灯也已功成身退。当初在端点星,崔维兹首度踏上远星号的时候,太空艇中就备有许多操作说明与指导手册,根据这些录成胶卷的复杂说明,紫外辐射灯的用途正是消毒杀菌。不过崔维兹想到,如果乘客来自流行日光浴的世界,这种装置会构成一种诱惑,让人想用它将皮肤晒成时髦的古铜色,而且想必有人会这么做。不过无论如何使用,这种光线总是具有消毒杀菌的效果。
此时太空艇已进入太空,崔维兹尽量朝梅尔波美尼亚的太阳接近,在不使大家感到难过的前提下,让太空艇在半空翻腾扭转,以确定外壳全部受到紫外线的充分照射。
最后,他们才将弃置在气闸中的两套太空衣救回来,并且做了详细检查,直到连崔维兹都满意为止。  .“如此大费周章,”宝绮思终于忍不住说道:“只是为了苔藓。你是不是这么说的,崔维兹?苔藓?”
“我管它们叫苔藓,”崔维兹说:“是因为它们使我联想到那种植物。然而,我并不是植物学家。我所能做的描述,只是它们的绿色鲜艳异常,也许能藉着非常少的光能生存。”
“为什么是非常少的光能?”
“那些苔藓对紫外线极敏感,不能在阳光直射的场所生长,甚至无法存活。它们的孢子散布各处,而在阴暗的角落、雕像的裂缝中、建筑物的基部表面,只要是有二氧化碳的地方,它们都能生长繁殖,靠着散射光子携带的能量维生。”
宝绮思说:“我觉得你认为它们有危险。”
“很有可能。假如我们进来的时候,有些孢子附着在我们身上,或者被我们卷进来,它们会发现这里的光线充足,又不含有害的紫外线,此外还有大量水分,以及源源不绝的二氧化碳。”
“我们空气中的二氧化碳含量,只有百分之零点零三。”宝绮思说。
“对它们而言太丰富了——我们呼出的空气则含有百分之四。万一孢子在我们鼻孔或皮肤生长呢?万一它们分解破坏我们的食物呢?万一它们制造出致命的毒素呢?即使我们千辛万苦将它们消灭,只要还有少数孢子存活,被我们带到另一颗行星后,它们也足以长满那个世界,再从那里转移到其他世界。谁知道它们会造成多大灾害?”
宝绮思摇了摇头。“一种不同形式的生命,不一定就代表有危险,你太轻易杀生了。”
“这是盖娅说的话。”崔维兹说。
“当然是,但我希望你认为我说得有理。那些苔藓刚好适应这个世界的环境,正因为少量的光线对它们有利,大量的光线却会杀死它们:同理,它们能利用偶尔飘来的几丝二氧化碳,但太多也许就缓箢它们死亡。所以说,可能除了梅尔波美尼亚之外,它们无法在其他世界生存。”
“你要我在这件事上赌运气吗?”崔维兹追问。
宝绮思耸了耸肩。“好啦,别生气,你的立场我明白。身为孤立体,你除了那样做,也许根本没有其他选择。”
崔维兹正想回嘴,可是菲龙清脆、高亢的声音突然插进来,说的竟是她自己的语言。
崔维兹问裴洛拉特:“她在说些什么?”
裴洛拉特答道:“菲龙说的是……”
然而,菲龙仿佛这才想起她的母语不容易懂,遂改口说:“你们在那里有没有看到健比在那里?”
她的发音咬字十分仔细,宝绮思高兴得露出微笑。“她的银河标准语是不是说得很好?几乎没花什么时间学。”
崔维兹低声道:“要是由我讲会越讲越糊涂,还是你跟她解释吧,宝绮思,说我们没在那颗行星上发现机器人。”
“我来解释,”裴洛拉特说:“来吧,菲龙。”他用一只手臂温柔地搂住那孩子的肩头,“到我们的舱房来,我拿另一本书给你看。”
“书?关于健比的吗?”
“不能算是……”舱门便在他们身后关上了。
“你可知道,”崔维兹一面不耐烦地目送他们的背影,一面说:“我们扮演这孩子的保姆,简直是在浪费时间。”
“浪费时间?这样做哪里妨碍到你寻找地球了,崔维兹?完全没有。反之,扮演保母可以建立沟通管道,减轻她的恐惧,带给她关爱,这些成就难道一点都不值得吗?”
“这又是盖娅说的话。”
“没错。”宝绮思说:“那么让我们谈点实际的。我们造访了三个古老的外世界,结果一无所获。”
崔维兹点了点头。“十分正确。”
“事实上,我们发现每个世界都相当凶险,对不对?在奥罗拉上有凶猛的野狗;在索拉利上有怪异危险的人类:而在梅尔波美尼亚上,则存在着具有潜在威胁的苔藓。这显然代表说,一个世界一旦孤立起来,不论上面有没有人类,都会对星际社会构成威胁。”
“你不能将这点视为通则。”
“三次全都应验,由不得你不信。”
“你相信的又是什么呢,宝绮思?”
“我会告诉你,但请敞开胸怀听我说。如果银河中有数千万个互动的世界,当然这也是实际情形;每一个都由孤立体组成,事实上也正是如此,那么在每个世界上,人类都居于主宰的地位,能将他们的意志加在非人生命型态上、加在无生命的地理环境上,甚至加诸彼此身上。所以说,这种银河其实就是个非常原始、笨拙,而且功能不当的盖娅星系,是个联合体的雏型。你明白我的意思吗?”
“我的白你想要说什么。但这不表示当你说完之后,我会同意你说的话。”
“只要你愿意听就奸,同下同意随你高兴,但是请注意听。原始盖哑星系是唯一能运作的银河,银河越是远离原始型态、越是接近盖娅星系就越好。银河帝国是个强势原始盖娅星系的尝试,在它分崩离析后,时局便开始迅速恶化。后来,又不断有人企图强化原始盖娅星系,基地联邦就是一个例子。此外骡的帝国也是,第二基地计划中的帝国也是。但纵使没有这些帝国或联邦,纵使整个银河陷入动乱,那也是连成一气的动乱;每个世界都和其他世界保持互动,即使只是满怀敌意的互动。这样子的银河,本身还是个联合体,因此不是最坏的情况。”
“那么,什么才是最坏的情况?”
“你自己知道答案是什么,崔维兹,你已经亲眼目睹。如果一个住人世界完全解体,居民成了真正的孤立体,又如果它和其他人类世界失去一切互动,它就会朝向——恶性发展。”
“像癌一样?”
“没错,索拉利不就是现成的例子吗?它和所有的世界对立。而在那个世界上,所有的人也都处于对立状态,你全都看到了。假如人类完全消失,最后一点纪律也会荡然无存,互相对立的情势将变得毫无章法,就像那些野狗;或者只剩下天然的力量,就像那些苔藓。我想你懂了吧,我们越接近盖娅星系,社会就越美好。所以,为何要在尚未达到盖娅星系的时候,就半途而废呢?”
崔维兹默默瞪着宝绮思,好一会儿才说:“这的确是个好问题。可是,你为什么假设药量和药效永远成正比;如果用一点有好处,多量便会更好,全部服下则最好?你自己不也指出,那些苔藓或许只能适应微量的二氧化碳,过多的话就会致死吗?一个身高两公尺的人比一公尺高的人有利,可是同样比三公尺高的人要好。如果一只老鼠膨胀成像只大象,对它一点益处都没有,那样它根本活下下去;同理,大象缩成老鼠的大小也一样糟糕。”
“每样东西,大至恒星小至原子,都有一个自然的尺度、自然的复杂度,以及某种最佳的特质,而生物与活生生的社会也必定如此。我不是说旧银河帝国合乎理想,我当然也看得出基地联邦的缺陷,可是我不会因此就说:由于完全孤立不好,完全统一便是好的。这两种极端也许同样可怕,而旧式银河帝国不论多么不完美,却可能是我们能力的极限。”
宝绮思摇了摇头。“我怀疑你自己都不相信自己的话,崔维兹。你是不是想要辩称,既然病毒和人类同样无法令人满意,你就希望锁定某种介于其间的生物——例如黏菌?”  ,“不,但我或许可以辩称,既然病毒和超人同样无法令人满意,我就希望锁定某种介于其间的生物——例如凡夫俗子。不过我们根本没有争论的必要,等我找到地球之后,我就能得到解答。在梅尔波美尼亚,我们发现了其他四十七个外世界的坐标。”
“你全部会去造访?”
“每个都要去,如果非这样不可。”
“到每个世界去冒险?”
“是的,如果只有那样才能找到地球。”
裴洛拉特早已回来,将菲龙一个人留在他的舱房。他似乎有话要说,却夹在宝绮思与崔维兹的快速舌战中无法开口。当双方你来我往的时候,他只好轮流对着两人干瞪眼。
“那得花多少时间?”宝绮思问。
“不论得花多少时间。”崔维兹说:“但我们也许在下一站就能找到所需的线索。”
“或者全都徒劳无功。”
“那要等全部找完才知道。”
此时,裴洛拉特终于逮到机会插一句嘴。“何必找呢,葛兰?我们已经有答案了。”
崔维兹原本朝裴洛拉特不耐烦地挥了挥手,挥到一半突然打住,转过头来茫然问道:“什么?”
“我说我们已经有答案了。在梅尔波美尼亚上我就一直想告诉你,我至少试了五次,你却过于专注手头的工作……”
“我们有了什么答案?你到底在说些什么?”
“地球啊,我想我们已经知道地球在哪里了。”

回到夏末之初

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等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 沐觅谨。
执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Chapter 15: Moss
66Trevize looked grotesque in his space suit. The onlypart of him that remained outsideeeere his holsters not the onesthat he strapped around his hips ordinarily, but more substantial onesthat eere part of his suit. Carefully, he inserted the blaster in theright-hand holster, the neuronic whip in the left. Again, they had beenrecharged and this time, he thought grimly, nothing wouldtake them away from him.
Bliss smiled. "Are you going to carry weapons even on a world withoutair or Never mind! I won't question your decisions."Trevize said, "Good!" and turned to help Pelorat adjust his helmet,before donning his own.
Pelorat, who had never worn a space suit before, said, ratherplaintively, "Will I really be able to breathe in this thing, Golan?""I promise you," said Trevize.
Bliss watched as the final joints were sealed, her arm about Fallom'sshoulder. The young Solarian stared at the two space-suited figures inobvious alarm. She was trembling, and Bliss's arm squeezed her gentlyand reassuringly.
The airlock door opened, and the two stepped inside, their bloatedarms waving a farewell. It closed. The mainlock door opened and theystepped clumsily onto the soil of a dead world.
It was dawn. The sky was clear, of course, and purplish in color,but the sun had not yet risen. Along the lighter horizon where the sunwould come, there was a slight haze.
Pelorat said, "It's cold.""Do you feel cold?" said Trevize, with surprise. The suits were wellinsulated and if there was a problem, now and then, it was with thegetting rid of body heat.
Pebrat said, "Not at all, but look " His radioed voice soundedTrevize's ear, and his finger pointed.
In the purplish light of dawn, the crumbling stone front of thebuilding they were approaching was sheathed in hoar frost.
Trevize said, "With a thin atmosphere, it would get colder at nightthan you would expect, and warmer in the day. Right now it's the coldestpart of the day and it should take several hours before it gets too hotfor us to remain in the sun."As though the word had been a cabalistic incantation, the rim of thesun appeared above the horizon.
"Don't look at it," said Trevize conversationally. "Your face-plate isreflective and ultraviolet-opaque, but it would still be dangerous."He turned his back to the rising sun and let his long shadow fall onthe building. The sunlight was causing the frost to disappear, even ashe watched. For a few moments, the wall looked dark with dampness andthen that disappeared, too.
Trevize said, "The buildings don't look as good down here as theylooked from the sky. They're cracked and crumbling. That's the resultof the temperature change, I suppose, and of having the water tracesfreeze and melt each night and day for maybe as much as twenty thousandyears."Pelorat said, "There are letters engraved in the stone above theentrance, but crumbling has made them difficult to read.""Can you make it out, Janov?""A financial institution of some sort. At least I make out a wordwhich may be `bank.'""What's that?""A building in which assets were stored, withdrawn, traded, invested,loaned if it's what I think it is.""A whole building devoted to it? No computers?""Without computers taking over altogether."Trevize shrugged. He did not find the details of ancient historyinspiring.
They moved about, with increasing haste, spending less time atsac build ing. The silence, the deadness , was completelydepressing. The slow millennial-long collapse into which they had intrudedmade the place seem like the skeleton of a city, with everything gonebut the bones.
They were well up in the temperate zone, but Trevize imagined hecould feel the heat of the sun on his back.
Pelorat, about a hundred meters to his right, said sharply, "Lookat that."Trevize's ears rang. He said, "Don't shout, Janov. I can hear yourwhispers clearly no matter how far away you are. What is it?"Pelorat, his voice moderating at once, said, "This building is the`Hall of the Worlds.' At least, that's what I think the inscriptionreads."Trevize joined him. Before them was a three-story structure, the lineof its roof irregular and loaded with large fragments of rock, as thoughsome sculptured object that had once stood there had fallen to pieces.
"Are you sure?" said Trevize.
"If we go in, we'll find out."They climbed five low, broad steps, and crossed a space-wastingplaza. In the thin sir, their metal-shod footsteps made a whisperingvibration rather than a sound.
"I see what you mean by `large, useless, and expensive,'" mutteredTrevize.
They entered a wide and high hall, with sunlight shining through tallwindows and illuminating the interior too harshly where it struck andyet leaving things obscure in the shadow. The thin atmosphere scatteredlittle light.
In the center was a larger than life-size human figure in what seemedto be a synthetic stone. One arm had fallen off. The other arm was crackedat the shoulder and Trevize felt that if he tapped it sharply that arm,too, would break off. He stepped back as though getting too near mighttempt him into such unbearable vandalism.
"I wonder who that is?" said Trevize. "No markings anywhere. Isuppose those who set it up felt that his fame was so obvious he neededno identification, but now " He felt himself in danger of growingphilosophical and turned his attention away.
Pelorat was looking up, and Trevize's glance followed the angle ofPelorat's head. There were markings carvings on the wallwhich Trevize could not read.
"Amazing," said Pelorat. "Twenty thousand years old, perhaps, and,in here, protected somewhat from sun and damp, they're still legible.""Not to me," said Trevize.
"It's in old script and ornate even for that. Let's seenow seven one two " His voice died away in amumble, and then he spoke up again. "There are fifty names listed andthere are supposed to have been fifty Spacer worlds and this is `The Hallof the Worlds.' I assume those are the names of the fifty Spacer worlds,probably in the order of establishment. Aurora is first and Solaria islast. If you'll notice, there are seven columns, with seven names inthe first six columns and then eight names in the last. It is as thoughthey had planned a seven-by-seven grid and then added Solaria after thefact. My guess, old chap, is that      list dates back to before Solariawas terraformed and populated.""And which one is this planet we're standing on? Can you tell?"Pelorat said, "You'll notice that   e fifth one down in the thirdcolumn, the nineteenth in order, is inscribed in letters a little largerthan the others. The listers seem to have been self-centered enough togive themselves some pride of place. Besides ""What does the name read?""As near as I can make out, it says Melpomenia. It's a name I'mtotally unfamiliar with.""Could it represent Earth?"Pelorat shook his head vigorously, but      went unseen inside hishelmet. He said, "There are dozens of words used for Earth in the oldlegends. Gaia is one of them, as you know. So is Terra, and Erda, andso on. They're all short. I don't know of any long name used for it,or anything even resembling a short version of Melpomenia.""Then we're standing on Melpomenia, and it's not Earth.""Yes. And besides as I started to say earlier an evenbetter indication than the larger lettering is that   e co-ordinates ofMelpomenia are given as 0,       and you would expect co-ordinates tobe referred to one's own planet.""Co-ordinates?" Trevize sounded dumbfounded. "Th   list gives thecoordinates, too?""They give three figures for each and I presume those areco-ordinates. What else can they be?"Trevize did not answer. He opened a small compartment in the portionof the space suit that covered his right thigh and took out a compactdevice with wire connecting it  o   e compartment. He put it up tohis eyes and carefully focused it on the inscription on the wall, hissheathed fingers making a difficult job out of something      wouldordinarily have been a moment's work.
"Camera?" asked Pelorat unnecessarily.
"It will feed the image directly in o   e ship's computer," saidTrevize.
He took several photographs from different angles; then said,"Wait! I've got to get higher. Help me, Janov."Pelorat clasped his hands together, stirrup-fashion, but Trevize shookhis head. "Th   won't support my weight. Get on your hands and knees."Pelorat did so, laboriously, and, as laboriously, Trevize, havingtucked   e camera in o its compartment again, stepped on Pelorat'sshoulders and from them on to   e pedestal of the statue. He tried torock the statue carefully to judge its firmness, then placed his footon one bent knee and used it as a base for pushing himself upward andcatching   e armless shoulder. Wedging his toes against some unevennessat   e chest, he lifted himself and, finally, after several grunts,managed to sit on the shoulder. To   ose long-dead who had reveredthe statue and what it represented, what Trevize did would have seemedblasphemy, and Trevize was sufficiently influenced by that   ought totry to sit lightly.
"You'll fall and hurt yourself," Pelorat called out anxiously.
"I'm not going  o fall and hurt myself, but you mightdeafen me." Trevize unslung his camera and focused once more. Severalmore photographs were taken and then he replaced   e camera yet again andcarefully lowered himself till his feet touched the pedestal. He jumped tothe ground and the vibration of his contact was apparently the final push,for the still in act arm crumbled, and produced a small heap of rubbleat   e foot of the statue. It made virtually no noise as it fell.
Trevize froze, his first impulse being      of finding a place  o hidebefore the watchman came and caught him. Amazing, he   ought afterward,how quickly one relives   e days of one's childhood in a situationlike th   when you've accidentally broken something      looksimportant. It lasted only a moment, but it cut deeply.
Pelorat's voice was hollow, as befitted one who had witnessed andeven abetted an act of vandalism, but he managed to find words ofcomfort. "It's it's all right, Golan. It was about to come downby itself, anyway."He walked over to the pieces on the pedestal and floor as though hewere going to demonstrate the point, reached out for one of the largerfragments, and then said, "Golan, come here."Trevize approached and Pelorat, pointing at a piece of stone that hadclearly been the portion of the arm that had been joined to the shoulder,said, "What is this?"Trevize stared. There was a patch of fuzz, bright green incolor. Trevize rubbed it gently with his suited finger. It scraped offwithout trouble.
"It looks a lot like moss," he said.
"The life-without-mind that you mentioned?""I'm not completely sure how far without mind. Bliss, I imagine,would insist that this had consciousness, too but she would claimthis stone also had it."Pelorat said, "Do you suppose that moss stuff is what's crumblingthe rock?"Trevize said, "I wouldn't be surprised if it helped. The world hasplenty of sunlight and it has some water. Half what atmosphere it has iswater vapor. The rest is nitrogen and inert gases. Just a trace of carbondioxide, which would lead one to suppose there's no plant life butit could be that the carbon dioxide is low because it is virtually allincorporated into the rocky crust. Now if this rock has some carbonate init, perhaps this moss breaks it down by secreting acid, and then makesuse of the carbon dioxide generated. This may be the dominant remainingform of life on this planet.""Fascinating," said Pelorat.
"Undoubtedly," said Trevize, "but only in a limited way. Theco-ordinates of the Spacer worlds are rather more interesting but whatwe really want are the co-ordinates of Earth . If they'renot here, they may be elsewhere in the building or in anotherbuilding. Come, Janov.""But you know " began Pelorat.
"No, no," said Trevize impatiently. "We'll talk later. We've gotto see what else, if anything, this building can give us. It's gettingwarmer." He looked the small temperature reading on the back of his leftglove. "Come, Janov."They tramped through the rooms, walking as gently as possible, notbecause they were making sounds in the ordinary sense, or because therewas anyone to hear them, but because they were a little shy of doingfurther damage through vibration.
They kicked up some dust, which moved a short way upward and settledquickly through the thin air, and they left footmarks behind them.
Occasionally, in some dim corner, one or the other would silentlypoint out more samples of moss that were growing. There seemed a littlecomfort in the presence of life, however low in the scale, somethingthat lifted the deadly, suffocating feel of walking through a dead world,especially one in which artifacts all about showed that once, long ago,it had been an elaborately living one.
And then, Pelorat said, "I think this must be a library."Trevize looked about curiously. There were shelves and, as helooked more narrowly, what the corner of his eye had dismissed as mereornamentation, seemed as though they might well be book-films. Gingerly,he reached for one. They were thick and clumsy and then he realizedthey were only cases. He fumbled with his thick fingers to open one, andinside he saw several discs. They were thick, too, and seemed brittle,though he did not test that.
He said, "Unbelievably primitive.""Thousands of years old," said Pelorat apologetically, as thoughdefending the old Melpomenians against the accusation of retardedtechnology.
Trevize pointed to the spine of the film where there were dimcurlicues of the ornate lettering that the ancients had used. "Is thatthe title? What does it say?"Pelorat studied it. "I'm not really sure, old man. I think one ofthe words refers to microscopic life. It's a word for `microorganism,'
perhaps. I suspect these are technical microbiological terms which Iwouldn't understand even in Standard Galactic." `"Probably," said Trevize morosely. "And, equally probably, itwouldn't do us any good even if we could read it. We're not interestedin germs. Do me a favor, Janov. Glance through some of these booksand see if there's anything there with an interesting title. While you'redoing that, I'll look over these book-viewers.""Is that what they are?" said Pelorat, wondering. They were squat,cubical structures, topped by a slanted screen and a curved extensionat the top that might serve as an elbow rest or a place on which to putan electro-notepad if they had had such on Melpomenia.
Trevize said, "If this is a library, they must have book-viewers ofone kind or another, and this seems as though it might suit."He brushed the dust off the screen very gingerly and was relievedthat the screen, whatever it might be made of, did not crumble at histouch. He manipulated the controls lightly, one after another. Nothinghappened. He tried another book-viewer, then another, with the samenegative results.
He wasn't surprised. Even if the device were to remain in workingorder for twenty millennia in a thin atmosphere and was resistant towater vapor, there was still the question of the power source. Storedenergy had a way of leaking, no matter what was done to stop it. Thatwas another aspect of the all embracing, irresistible second law ofthermodynamics.
Pelorat was behind him. "Golan?""Yes.""I have a book-film here ""What kind?""I think it's a history of space flight.""Perfect but it won't do us any good if I can't make this viewerwork."His hands clenched in frustration.
"We could take the film back to the ship.""I wouldn't know how to adapt it to our viewer. It wouldn't fit andour scanning system is sure to be incompatible.""But is all that really necessary, Golan? If we ""It is really necessary, Janov. Now don't interrupt me. I'm tryingto decide what to do. I can try adding power to the viewer. Perhaps thatis all it needs.""Where would you get the power?""Well " Trevize drew his weapons, looked at them briefly, thensettled his blaster back into its holster. He cracked open his neuronicwhip, and studied the energy-supply level. It was at maximum.
Trevize threw himself prone upon the floor and reached behind theviewer (he kept assuming that was what it was) and tried to push itforward. It moved a small way and he studied what he found in theprocess.
One of those cables had to carry the power supply and surely itwas the one that came out of the wall. There was no obvious plug orjoining. (How does one deal with an alien and ancient culture where thesimplest taken-for granted matters are made unrecognizable?)He pulled gently at the cable, then harder. He turned it one way,then the other. He pressed the wall in the vicinity of the cable, andthe cable in the vicinity of the wall. He turned his attention, as besthe could, to the half-hidden back of the viewer and nothing he could dothere worked, either.
He pressed one hand against the floor to raise himself and, as hestood up, the cable came with him. What he had done that had loosened it,he hadn't the slightest idea.
It didn't look broken or torn away. The end seemed quite smooth andit had left a smooth spot in the wall where it had been attached.
Pelorat said softly, "Golan, may I "Trevize waved a peremptory arm at the other. "Not now, Janov. Please!"He was suddenly aware of the green material caking the creases on hisleft glove. He must have picked up some of the moss behind the viewerand crushed it. His glove had a faint dampness to it, but it dried ashe watched, and the greenish stain grew brown.
He turned his attention toward the cable, staring at the detached endcarefully. Surely there were two small holes there. Wires could enter.
He sat on the floor again and opened the power unit of his neuronicwhip. Carefully, he depolarized one of the wires and clicked it loose. Hethen, slowly and delicately, inserted it into the hole, pushing it inuntil it stopped. When he tried gently to withdraw it again, it remainedput, as though it had been seized. He suppressed his first impulse toyank it out again by force. He depolarized the other wire and pushedit into the other opening. It was conceivable that      would close thecircuit and supply the viewer with power.
"Janov," he said, "you've played about with book-films of allkinds. See if you can work out a way of inserting that book into theviewer.""Is it really nece ""Please, Janov, you keep trying to ask unnecessary questions. We onlyhave so much time. I don't want  o have to wait far into the night forthe building to cool off to the point where we can return.""It must go in this way," said Janov, "but ""Good," said Trevize. "If it's a history of space flight, then itwill have to begin with Earth, since it was on Earth that space flightwas invented. Let's see if this thing works now."Pelorat, a little fussily, placed the book-film into the obviousreceptacle and then began studying the markings on the various controlsfor any hint as to direction.
Trevize spoke in a low voice, while waiting, partly to ease his owntension. "I suppose there must be robots on this world, too here andthere in reasonable order to all appearances glistening in thenear-vacuum. The trouble is their power supply would long since have beendrained, too, and, even if repowered, what about their brains? Levers andgears might withstand the millennia, but what about whatever microswitchesor subatomic gizmos they had in their brains? They would have to havedeteriorated, and even if they had not, what would they know aboutEarth. W    would they "Pelorat said, "The viewer is working, old chap. See here."In the dim light, the book-viewer screen began to flicker. It was onlyfaint, but Trevize turned up the power slightly on his neuronic whip andit grew brighter. The thin air about them kept the area outside the shaftsof sunlight comparatively dim, so that   e room was faded and shadowy,and the screen seemed the brighter by contrast.
It continued to flicker, with occasional shadows drifting acrossthe screen.
"It needs to be focused," said Trevize.
"I know," said Pelorat, "but this seems the best I can do. The filmitself must have deteriorated."The shadows came and went rapidly now, and periodically there seemedsomething like a faint caricature of print. Then, for a moment, therewas sharpness and it faded again.
"Get that back and hold it, Janov," said Trevize.
Pelorat was already trying. He passed it going backward, then againforward, and then got it and held it.
Eagerly, Trevize tried to read it, then said, in frustration, "Canyou make it out, Janov?""Not entirely," said Pelorat, squinting at the screen. "It's aboutAurora. I can tell that much. I think it's dealing with the firsthyperspatial expedition the `prime outpouring,' it says."He went forward, and it blurred and shadowed again. He said finally,"All the pieces I can get seem to deal with the Spacer worlds,Golan. There's nothing I can find about Earth."Trevize said bitterly, "No, there wouldn't be. It's all been wipedout on this world as it has on Trantor. Turn the thing off.""But it doesn't matter " began Pelorat, turning it off.
"Because we can try other libraries? It will be wiped out there,too. Everywhere. Do you know " He had looked at Pelorat as he spoke,and now he stared at him with a mixture of horror and revulsion. "W   'swrong with your face-plate?" he asked.
67Pelorat automatically lifted his gloved hand to hisface-plate and then took it away and looked at it.
"W    is it?" he said, puzzled. Then, he looked at Trevize and wenton, rather squeakily, "There's something peculiar about your face-plate, Golan."Trevize looked about automatically for a mirror. There was none and hewould need a light if there were. He muttered, "Come into the sunlight,will you?"He half-led, half-pulled Pelorat into the shaft of sunlight fromthe nearest window. He could feel its warmth upon his back despite theinsulating effect of the space suit.
He said, "Look toward the sun, Janov, and close your eyes."It was at once clear what was wrong with the face-plate. There wasmoss growing luxuriantly where the glass of the face-plate met themetallized fabric of the suit itself. The face-plate was rimmed withgreen fuzziness and Trevize knew his own was, too.
He brushed a finger of his glove across the moss on Pelorat'sface-plate. Some of it came off, the crushed green staining theglove. Even as he watched it glisten in the sunlight, however, it seemedto grow stiffer and drier. He tried again, and this time, the mosscrackled off. It was turning brown. He brushed the edges of Pelorat'sface-plate again, rubbing hard.
"Do mine, Janov," he said. Then, later, "Do I look clean? Good,so do you. Let's go. I don't think there's more to do here."The sun was uncomfortably hot in the deserted airless city. The stonebuildings gleamed brightly, almost achingly. Trevize squinted as helooked at them and, as far as possible, walked on the shady side of thethoroughfares. He stopped at a crack in one of the building fronts, onewide enough to stick his little finger into, gloved as it was. He did justthat, looked at it, muttered, "Moss," and deliberately walked to the endof the shadow and held that finger out in the sunlight for a while.
He said, "Carbon dioxide is the bottleneck. Anywhere they canget carbon dioxide decaying rock anywhere it willgrow. We're a good source of carbon dioxide, you know, probably richerthan anything else on this nearly dead planet, and I suppose traces ofthe gas leak out at the boundary of the face-plate.""So the moss grows there.""Yes."It seemed a long walk back to the ship, much longer and, of course,hotter than the one they had taken at dawn. The ship was still in theshade when they got there, however; that much Trevize had calculatedcorrectly, at least.
Pelorat said, "Look!"Trevize saw. The boundaries of the mainlock were outlined in greenmoss.
"More leakage?" said Pelorat.
"Of course. Insignificant amounts, I'm sure, but this moss seems tobe a better indicator of trace amounts of carbon dioxide than anything Iever heard of. Its spores must be everywhere and wherever a few moleculesof carbon dioxide are to be found, they sprout." He adjusted his radiofor ship's wavelength and said, "Bliss, can you hear me?"Bliss's voice sounded in both sets of ears. "Yes. Are you ready tocome in? Any luck?""We're just outside," said Trevize, "but don't openthe lock. We'll open it from out here. Repeat, don't openthe lock.""Why not?""Bliss, just do as I ask, will you? We can have a long discussionafterward."Trevize brought out his blaster and carefully lowered, its intensity tominimum, then gazed at it uncertainly. He had never used it at minimum. Helooked about him. There was nothing suitably fragile to test it on.
In sheer desperation, he turned it on the rocky hillside inwhose shadow the Far Star lay. The target didn't turnred-hot. Automatically, he felt the spot he had hit. Did it feel warm? Hecouldn't tell with any degree of certainty through the insulated fabricof his suit.
He hesitated again, then thought that the hull of the ship would be asresistant, within an order of magnitude at any rate, as the hillside. Heturned the blaster on the rim of the lock and flicked the contact briefly,holding his breath.
Several centimeters of the moss-like growth browned at once. He wavedhis hand in the vicinity of the browning and even the mild breeze set upin the thin air in this way sufficed to set the light skeletal remnantsthat made up the brown material to scattering.
"Does it work?" said Pelorat anxiously.
"Yes, it does," said Trevize. "I turned the blaster into a mildheat ray."He sprayed the heat all around the edge of the lock and the greenvanished at the touch. All of it. He struck the mainlock to create avibration that would knock off what remained and a brown dust fell to theground a dust so fine that it even lingered in the thin atmosphere,buoyed up by wisps of gas.
"I think we can open it now," said Trevize, and, using his wristcontrols, he tapped out the emission of the radio-wave combination thatactivated the opening mechanism from inside. The lock gaped and hadnot opened more than halfway when Trevize said, "Don't dawdle, Janov,get inside. Don't wait for the steps. Climb in."Trevize followed, sprayed the rim of the lock with his toned-downblaster. He sprayed the steps, too, once they had lowered. He thensignaled the close of the lock and kept on spraying till they weretotally enclosed.
Trevize said, "We're in the lock, Bliss. We'll stay here a fewminutes. Continue to do nothing!"Bliss's voice said, "Give me a hint. Are you all right? How isPel?"Pel said, "I'm here, Bliss, and perfectly well. There's nothing toworry about.""If you say so, Pel, but there'll have to be explanations later. Ihope you know that.""It's a promise," said Trevize, and activated the lock light.
The two space-suited figures faced each other.
Trevize said, "We're pumping out all the planetary air we can, solet's just wait till that's done.""What about the ship air? Are we going to let that in?""Not for a while. I'm as anxious to get out of the space suit as youare, Janov. I just want to make sure that we get rid of any spores thathave entered with us or upon us."By the not entirely satisfactory illumination of the lock light,Trevize turned his blaster on the inner meeting of lock and hull,spraying the heat methodically along the floor, up and around, and backto the floor.
"Now you, Janov."Pelorat stirred uneasily, and Trevize said, "You may feel warm. Itshouldn't be any worse than that. If it grows uncomfortable, just sayso."He played the invisible beam over the face-plate, the edgesparticularly, then, little by little, over the rest of the space suit.
He muttered, "Lift your arms, Janov." Then, "Rest your arms on myshoulder, and lift one foot I've got to do the soles nowthe other. Are you getting too warm?"Pelorat said, "I'm not exactly bathed in cool breezes, Golan.""Well, then, give me a taste of my own medicine. Go over me.""I've never held a blaster.""You must hold it. Grip it so, and, with your thumb, pushthat little knob and squeeze the holster tightly. Right. Nowplay it over my face-plate. Move it steadily, Janov, don't let it lingerin one place too long. Over the rest of the helmet, then down the cheekand neck."He kept up the directions, and when he had been heated everywhereand was in an uncomfortable perspiration as a result, he took back theblaster and studied the energy level.
"More than half gone," he said, and sprayed the interior of thelock methodically, back and forth over the wall, till the blaster wasemptied of its charge, having itself heated markedly through its rapidand sustained discharge. He then restored it to its holster.
Only then did he signal for entry into the ship. He welcomed thehiss and feel of air coming into the lock as the inner door opened. Itscoolness and its convective powers would carry off the warmth of the spacesuit far more quickly than radiation alone would do. It might have beenimagination, but he felt the cooling effect at once. Imagination or not,he welcomed that, too.
"Off with your suit, Janov, and leave it out here in the lock,"said Trevize.
"If you don't mind," said Pelorat, "a shower is what I would like tohave before anything else.""Not before anything else. In fact, before that, and before you canempty your bladder, even, I suspect you will have to talk to Bliss."Bliss was waiting for them, of course, and with a look of concern onher face. Behind her, peeping out, was Fallom, with her hands clutchingfirmly at Bliss's left arm.
"What happened?" Bliss asked severely. "What's been going on?""Guarding against infection," said Trevize dryly, "so I'll be turningon the ultraviolet radiation. Break out the dark glasses. Please don'tdelay."With ultraviolet added to the wall illumination, Trevize took offhis moist garments one by one and shook them out, turning them in onedirection and another.
"Just a precaution," he said. "You do it, too, Janov. And,Bliss, I'll have to peel altogether. If that will make you uncomfortable,step into the next room."Bliss said, "It will neither make me uncomfortable, nor embarrass me. Ihave a good notion of what you look like, and it will surely present mewith nothing new. What infection?""Just a little something that, given its own way," said Trevize, witha deliberate air of indifference, "could do great damage to humanity,I think."68It was all done. The ultraviolet light had done itspart. Officially, according to the complex films of information andinstructions that had come with the Far Star when Trevize hadfirst gone aboard back on Terminus, the light was there preciselyfor purposes of disinfection. Trevize suspected, however, that thetemptation was always there, and sometimes yielded to, to use it fordeveloping a fashionable tan for those who were from worlds where tanswere fashionable. The light was, however, disinfecting, however used.
They took the ship up into space and Trevize maneuvered it as closeto Melpomenia's sun as he might without making them all unpleasantlyuncomfortable, turning and twisting the vessel so as to make sure thatits entire surface was drenched in ultraviolet.
Finally, they rescued the two space suits that had been left in thelock and examined them until even Trevize was satisfied.
"All that," said Bliss, at last, "for moss. Isn't that what you saidit was, Trevize? Moss?""I call it moss," said Trevize, "because that's what it reminded meof. I'm not a botanist, however. All I can say is that it's intenselygreen and can probably make do on very little light-energy.""Why very little?""The moss is sensitive to ultraviolet and can't grow, or even survive,in direct illumination. Its spores are everywhere and it grows in hiddencorners, in cracks in statuary, on the bottom surface of structures,feeding on the energy of scattered photons of light wherever there isa source of carbon dioxide."Bliss said, "I take it you think they're dangerous.""They might well be. If some of the spores were clinging to us when weentered, or swirled in with us, they would find illumination in plentywithout the harmful ultraviolet. They would find ample water and anunending supply of carbon dioxide.""Only 0.03 percent of our atmosphere," said Bliss.
"A great deal to them and 4 percent in our exhaled breath. Whatif spores grew in our nostrils, and on our skin? What if they decomposedand destroyed our food? What if they produced toxins that killed us? Evenif we labored to kill them but left some spores alive, they would beenough, when carried to another world by us, to infest it, and from therebe carried to other worlds. Who knows what damage they might do?"Bliss shook her head. "Life is not necessarily dangerous because itis different. You are so ready to kill.""That's Gaia speaking," said Trevize.
"Of course it is, but I hope I make sense, nevertheless. The moss isadapted to the conditions of this world. Just as it makes use of lightin small quantities but is killed by large; it makes use of occasionaltiny whiffs of carbon dioxide and may be killed by large amounts. Itmay not be capable of surviving on any world but Melpomenia.""Would you want me to take a chance on that?" demanded Trevize.
Bliss shrugged. "Very well. Don't be defensive. I see your point. Beingan Isolate, you probably had no choice but to do what you did."Trevize would have answered, but Fallom's clear high-pitched voicebroke in, in her own language.
Trevize said to Pelorat, "What's she saying?"Pelorat began, "What Fallom is saying "Fallom, however, as though remembering a moment too late that herown language was not easily understood, began again. "Was there Jembythere where you were?"The words were pronounced meticulously, and Bliss beamed. "Doesn'tshe speak Galactic well? And in almost no time."Trevize said, in a low voice, "I'll mess it up if I try, but youexplain to her, Bliss, that we found no robots on the planet.""I'll explain it," said Pelorat. "Come, Fallom." He placed a gentlearm about the youngster's shoulders. "Come to our room and I'll get youanother book to read.""A book? About Jemby?""Not exactly " And the door closed behind them.
"You know," said Trevize, looking after them impatiently, "we wasteour time playing nursemaid to that child.""Waste? In what way does it interfere with your search for Earth,Trevize? In no way. Playing nursemaid establishes communication,however, allays fear, supplies love. Are these achievements nothing?""That's Gaia speaking again.""Yes," said Bliss. "Let us be practical, then. We have visited threeof the old Spacer worlds and we have gained nothing."Trevize nodded. "True enough.""In fact, we have found each one dangerous, haven't we? On Aurora,there were feral dogs; on Solaria, strange and dangerous human beings;on Melpomenia, a threatening moss. Apparently, then, when a world isleft to itself, whether it contains human beings or not, it becomesdangerous to the Interstellar community.""You can't consider, that a general rule.""Three out of three certainly seems impressive.""And how does it impress you, Bliss?""I'll tell you. Please listen to me with an open mind. If you havemillions of interacting worlds in the Galaxy, as is, of course, theactual case, and if each is made up entirely of Isolates, as they are,then on each world, human beings are dominant and can force their willon nonhuman life-forms, on the inanimate geological background, andeven on each other. The Galaxy is, then, a very primitive and fumblingand misfunctioning Galaxia. The beginnings of a unit. Do you see whatI mean?""I see what you're trying to say but that doesn't mean I'mgoing to agree with you when you're done saying it.""Just listen to me. Agree or not, as you please, but listen. The onlyway the Galaxy will work is as a proto-Galaxia, and the less proto andthe more Galaxia, the better. The Galactic Empire was an attempt at astrong proto-Galaxia, and when it fell apart, times grew rapidly worse andthere was the constant drive to strengthen the proto-Galaxia concept. TheFoundation Confederation is such an attempt. So was the Mule's Empire. Sois the Empire the Second Foundation is planning. But even if there wereno such Empires or Confederations; even if the entire Galaxy were inturmoil, it would be a connected turmoil, with each world interacting,even if only hostilely, with every other. That would, in itself, be akind of union and it would not yet be the worst case.""What would be the worst, then?""You know the answer to that, Trevize. You've seen it. If ahuman-inhabited world breaks up completely, is truly Isolate,and if it loses all interaction with other human worlds, itdevelops malignantly.""A cancer, then?"" Yes . Isn't Solaria just that? Its hand is against allworlds. And on it, the hand of each individual is against those of allothers. You've seen it. And if human beings disappear altogether, the lasttrace of discipline goes. The each-against-each becomes unreasoning, aswith the dogs, or is merely an elemental force as with the moss. You see,I suppose, that the closer we are to Galaxia, the better the society. Why,then, stop at anything short of Galaxia?"For a while, Trevize stared silently at Bliss. "I'm thinking aboutit. But why this assumption that dosage is a one-way thing; that if alittle is good, a lot is better, and all there is is best of all? Didn'tyou yourself point out that it's possible the moss is adapted to verylittle carbon dioxide so that a plentiful supply might kill it? A humanbeing two meters tall is better off than one who is one meter tall; but isalso better off than one who is three meters tall. A mouse isn't betteroff, if it is expanded to the size of an elephant. He wouldn't live. Norwould an elephant be better off reduced to the size of a mouse.
"There's natural size, a natural complexity, some optimum quality foreverything, whether star or atom, and it's certainly true of living thingsand living societies. I don't say the old Galactic Empire was ideal, andI can certainly see flaws in the Foundation Confederation, but I'm notprepared to say that because total Isolation is bad, total Unificationis good. The extremes may both be equally horrible, and an old-fashionedGalactic Empire, however imperfect, may be the best we can do."Bliss shook her head. "I wonder if you believe yourself, Trevize. Areyou going to argue that a virus and a human being are equallyunsatisfactory, and wish to settle for something in-between likea slime mold?""No. But I might argue that a virus and a superhuman being are equallyunsatisfactory, and wish to settle for something in-between likean ordinary person. There is, however, no point in arguing. Iwill have my solution when I find Earth. On Melpomenia, we found theco-ordinates of forty-seven other Spacer worlds.""And you'll visit them all?""Every one, if I have to.""Risking the dangers on each.""Yes, if that's what it takes to find Earth."Pelorat had emerged from the room within which he had left Fallom,and seemed about to say something when he was caught up in the rapid-fireexchange between Bliss and Trevize. He stared from one to the other asthey spoke in turn.
"How long would it take?" asked Bliss.
"However long it takes," said Trevize, "and we might find what weneed on the next one we visit.""Or on none of them.""That we cannot know till we search."And now, at last, Pelorat managed to insert a word. "But why look,Golan? We have the answer."Trevize waved an impatient hand in the direction of Pelorat, checkedthe motion, turned his head, and said blankly, "What?""I said we have the answer. I tried to tell you this on Melpomenia atleast five times, but you were so wrapped up in what you were doing-""What answer do we have? What are you talking about?"" About Earth. I think we know where Earth is."
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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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第六部 阿尓发星 第十六章 外世界中心
  69
崔维兹瞪了裴洛拉特良久,脸上露出明显的不悦神情。然后他说:“你看到什么我没看到的,却没有告诉我?”
“没有。”裴洛拉特好言好语答道:“你也看到了,正如我刚才说的,我试图向你解释,你却没心情听我说。”
“好,你就再试一次。”
宝绮思说:“别对他凶,崔维兹。”
“我没对他凶,我只是在问问题,你别宠坏他。”
“拜托,”裴洛拉特道:“都听我说,你们两位,不要你一言我一语的——你还记不记得,葛兰,我们讨论过早年寻找人类起源的尝试?那个亚瑞弗计划?你知道,就是试图标出每颗行星创建的年代。这个计划根据的假设,是人类当年以起源世界为中心,同时向四面八方进行殖民。因此,若从较新的行星逐步追溯到较老的行星,就能从各个方向汇聚到起源世界。”
崔维兹不耐烦地点了点头。“我记得这个方法根本行不通,因为每个世界的创建年代都不可靠。”
“没有错,老伙伴。但亚瑞弗研究的世界都是第二波殖民者建立的,当时超空间旅行极为先进,殖民世界一定已分布得相当凌乱,因为跨越星球殖民并非难事,殖民世界不一定呈径向对称向外扩张。这一点,当然增加了创建年代的不确定性。
“可是你再想想,葛兰,想想那些外世界,它们是由第一波殖民者建立的。当时超空间旅行没那么进步,后来居上的情形可能很少,甚至根本没有。虽然在第二波扩张时,几千万个世界的建立也许毫无规律;第一波却只有五十个世界,它们有可能分布得很规则。虽然第二波扩张持续两万年,建立了数千万个世界;第一波的五十个世界,则是几世纪间的成果——相较之下,几乎像是同时建立的。这五十个世界放在一起,应该大略构成球对称,而对称中心就是那个起源世界。
“我们已经有这五十个世界的座标,你拍摄下来了,记得吗,你坐在石像上拍的。不论什么力量或什么人试图毁掉地球的资料,他不是忽略了这些座标,就是没想到它们会提供我们所需的资料。你现在需要做的,葛兰,就是调整那些座标,修正两万年来的恒星运动,然后找出球形的中心,那个中心便会相当接近地球之阳,至少接近它两万年前的位置。”
当裴洛拉特滔滔不绝时,崔维兹的嘴巴不自觉地微微张开,等到长篇大论结束,又过了好一会儿之后,他才终于阖上嘴巴。“可是我为什么没想到呢?”
“我们还在梅尔波美尼亚的时候,我就试图告诉你。”
“我绝对相信你尝试过,而我却拒绝听,我向你道歉,詹诺夫。其实我根本没料到……”他感到很不好意思,没再往下说。
裴洛拉特默默笑了一下。“没料到我会说出什么着要的话。我想通常我的确不会,不过这件事是我的本行,你懂了吧。我自己也承认,一般说来你大可不必听我唠叨。”
“没这回事,”崔维兹说:“不是这样的,詹诺夫。我觉得自己是个笨蛋,而我活该有这种感觉。我再次向你道歉——现在我得去找电脑了。”
于是他们两人一同走进驾驶舱。当崔维兹双手放在桌面上,几乎与电脑合成单一 “人/机”有机体时,裴洛拉特望着他,像往常一样既惊叹又无法置信。
“我必须做些假设,詹诺夫。”由于崔维兹与电脑已融为一体,他的表情有点茫然。“我得假设第一个数字是距离,单位为秒差距:其他两个数字是角度,都是以径为单位,勉强可说第一个角度标示上下,另一个标示左右。我必须假设角度的正负号依据的是银河标准规约,而那三着零值代表梅尔波美尼亚的太阳。”
“听来很有希望。”裴洛拉特说。
“是吗?数字的排列共有六种可能,正负号的组合共有四种可能,距离的单位也许是光年而不是秒差距,角度的单位也许是度而不是径,这就构成九十六种不同的变化。此外,如果距离单位是光年,我不确定用的是哪种年;另一个问题是,我不知道测量角度用的究竟是什么规约——我想,其中之一应是以梅尔波美尼亚的赤道为准,可是本初子午线在哪里?”
裴洛拉特皱起眉头。“听你这么一说,好像又绝望了。”
“没有绝望。奥罗拉和索拉利都在这份名单上,而我知道它们在太空中的位置。我将根据座标试着寻找它们,如果找错地方,我就改用另一种规约,直到座标给出正确位置为止。这样我便能知道,我在座标规约上做的假设有何错误。假设一旦改正了,我就可以开始寻找那个球心。”
“有那么多可能的变化,做出决定会不会很难?”
“什么?”崔维兹越来越全神贯注。裴洛拉特将问题着复一遍之后,他才回答道:“喔,还好,这些座标遵循的很可能是银河标准规约,找出未知的本初子午线并不困难。标定太空位址的各种系统出现得很早,大多数天文学家都相当肯定它们甚至是在星际旅行前建立的。人类在某些方面非常保守,用惯一组数值规约之后,就不会做任何更改。我想,甚至有人会将它们误认为自然法则——其实这样也好,因为若是每个世界都有自己的测量规约,而且每个世纪都做改变,我相信科学发展绝对会因而受阻,甚至永远停滞不前。”
他显然一面说话一面工作,因为他的话始终断断续续。此时他又喃喃道:“现在保持肃静。”
说完这句话,他整个脸皱起来,神情显得极为专注。几分钟之后,他才靠回椅背,深深吸了一口气,以平静的口吻说:“规约的确成立,我已经找到奥罗拉。绝对没问题——看到了吗?”
裴洛拉特凝视着星像场,目光聚焦在接近中央的一颗后星上。“你确定吗?”
崔维兹说:“我自己的意见不着要,着要的是电脑的肯定。毕竟我们造访过奥罗拉,它的特征我们十分清楚——直径、质量、光度、温度、光谱细目等等,更遑论附近恒星的分布模式——电脑说它就是奥罗拉。”
“那么我想,我们必须接受它的话。”
“相信我,我们必须接受。让我调整一下显像屏幕,电脑就能开始工作。五十组座标早巳输入,它会一个一个处理。”
崔维兹一面说,一面开始调整屏幕。虽然电脑通常在四维时空中运作,但将结果呈现给人类时,显像屏幕鲜有超过二维的需要。然而现在,屏幕似乎展成一个漆黑的三维空间,深度与长宽相当。崔维兹将舱内的光线几乎完全熄灭,好让星光的影像更易于观察。
“现在要开始了。”他低声道。
一会儿之后,便出现一颗恒星——接着是另一颗——然后又是一颗。每多出现一颗星,屏幕的影像即变换一次,将所有星光皆纳入屏幕。看起来,仿佛太空在他们眼前逐渐远去,因此得见越来越多的全景。除此之外,还有上下的移动,左右的移动……
最后,五十个光点尽数出现,全部悬挂在三维太空中。
崔维兹说:“我本来希望能看到一个美丽的球状排列,但这看来却像个匆促捏成的雪球,而且是由过硬、砂砾过多的雪捏成的。”
“这样会不会前功尽弃?”
“会增加些困难,我想,但这也是没办法的事。恒星本身的分布并不均匀,可住人行星当然也一样,因此新世界一定不会构成完美的几何图形。电脑会考虑过去两万年最可能的运动模式,将每个光点调整到目前的位置——即使过了那么长的时间,需要的调整其实也不多。然后,再利用它们建构一个‘最佳球面’,换句话说,就是在太空中找出一个球面,使所有光点与它的距离都是最小值。最后我们再求出那个球面的球心,地球就应该在那个球心附近,至少我们希望如此——这不会花太多时间。”
70
果然未花太多时间。虽然崔维兹对这台电脑创造的奇迹习以为常,它的速度还是令他惊讶不已。
崔维兹刚才对电脑下过一道指令,要它在定出“最佳球心”后,发出一个柔和而余音袅袅的音调。这样做没有什么特殊理由,只不过为了心理上的满足,因为一旦听到这个声音,也许就代表这次的探索已接近尾声。
电脑几分钟后便发出声音,听来像是轻敲铜锣所激起的柔美响声。音量由小而大,直到他们都能感到微微震动,才慢慢消逝在空气中。
宝绮思几乎立刻出现在舱门口。“什么声音?”她瞪大眼睛问道:“紧急状况吗?”
“不,没事。”崔维兹说。
裴洛拉特热心地补充道:“我们也许找到地球的位置了,宝绮思,那一声就是电脑报告这个好消息的方式。”
她走进驾驶舱。“事先也该告诉我一声。”
崔维兹说:“抱歉,宝绮思,我没想到声音会那么大。”
菲龙跟着宝绮思走了进来,问道:“为什么有那个声音,宝绮思?”
“我看得出来她也很好奇。”崔维兹往椅背一靠,感到十分疲倦。下一步,是在真实银河中验证这个发现——将寻找焦点集中在外世界中心的座标上,看看是否真有G型恒星存在。但他再次变得优柔寡断,不愿进行这个简单的步骤,无法让自己面对真实测验的可能答案。
“没错,”宝绮思说:“她为何不该好奇呢?她和我们一样是人类。”
“她的单亲可不会这么想,”崔维兹心不在焉地说:“这个小孩令我担心,她是个麻烦。”
“何以见得?”宝绮思质问。
崔维兹双手一摊,答道:“只是一种感觉。”
宝绮思白了他一眼,再转身对菲龙说:“我们正在设法寻找地球,菲龙。”
“什么是地球?”
“另一个世界,不过是很特别的一个,我们的祖先都来自那个世界。你从那些读物中,有没有学到‘祖先’是什么意思,菲龙?”
“是不是XX?”最后那个词汇并非银河标准语。
裴洛拉特说:“那是祖先的古字,宝绮思。我们的语言中跟它最接近的是‘先人’。”
“太好了。”宝绮思突然露出灿烂的笑容。“我们的先人都来自地球,菲龙。你的、我的、裴的、崔维兹的先人都是。”
“你的,宝绮思……还有我的也是,”菲龙的口气似乎透着疑惑,“他们都是从地球来的?”
“先人只有一种,”宝绮思说:“你的先人就是我的先人,大家的先人全都一样。”
崔维兹说:“听来这孩子好像十分明白她和我们不同。”
宝绮思对崔维兹低声道:“别那么说,一定要让她认为自己没什么不同,没有根本上的差异。”
“雌雄同体是根本上的差异,我这么想。”
“我指的是心灵。”
“转换叶突也是根本上的差异。”
“喂,崔维兹,别那么难伺候。姑且不论那些细节,她既聪明又有人性。”
她转身面对菲龙,将音量恢复正常大小。“静静想一想,菲龙,想想这对你有什么意义。你的先人和我的先人一样,在每个世界上——很多、很多的世界——每一个人都拥有共同的先人,那些先人原来住在一个叫作地球的世界。这就表示我们都是亲戚,对下对?现在回到我们的舱房,想一想我说的话。”
菲龙若有所思地看了崔维兹一眼,随即转身跑开,宝绮思还在她臀部亲昵地拍了一下。
然后宝绮思转向崔维兹说:“拜托,崔维兹,答应我,以后她在附近的时候,不要再说那些话,免得她认为自己跟我们不同。”
崔维兹说:“我答应你,我并不想妨碍或破坏她的学习过程。可是,你也知道,她的确跟我们不一样。”
“只是某些方面有差异,就像我跟你有所不同,裴跟你也不完全一样。”
“别太天真了,宝绮思,菲龙的差异要大得多。”
“大一点而己。比较之下,她和我们的相似点却着要得多。她和她的同胞有一天会成为盖娅星系的一部分,而且我相信,还是极有用的一部分。”
“好吧,我们别争论了。”他万分不情愿地转身面对电脑,“现在,恐怕我得在真实太空中,查证一下地球是否在那个位置上。”
“恐怕?”
“嗯,”崔维兹耸起双肩,希望做个至少有些像开玩笑的动作,“万一附近没有符合条件的恒星,那该怎么办?”
“没有就没有吧。”宝绮思说。
“我不知道现在查证是否有任何意义,几天之内我们都还无法进行跃迁。”  “但这几天你却会为了揣测答案而坐立不安。现在就查出来,等待不会改变既有事实。”
崔维兹紧抿着嘴坐在那里,过了一会儿,他才说:“你说得对。好,那么——就开始吧。”
他再度转身面向电脑,双手按在桌面的手掌轮廓上,显像屏幕立刻变得一片漆黑。
宝绮思说:“那么我走了,我留下来会让你神经紧张。”她挥了挥手,离开驾驶舱。
“现在我们要做的,”崔维兹喃喃说道:“首先是检查一下电脑的银河舆图。即使地球之阳真在计算出的位置上,舆图应该也没有收录。不过我们再……”
他的声音在惊讶中逐渐消失;显像屏幕上闪现出了群星背景,星辰的数量极多,在屏幕上分布得很平均,大部分都十分暗淡,偶尔穿插着一颗较明后的恒星。不过在相当接近中央的地方,有颗令众星黯然失色的明后星辰。
“找到了!”裴洛拉特高声欢呼:“我们找到了,老弟,看看它有多后。”
“位于座标中心的恒星看来都很明后。”崔维兹显然试图压抑过早的欢喜,以免将来证明是一场空。“毕竟这个影像的像源,距离座标中心只有一秒差距。但话说回来,中央那颗恒星显然不是红矮星或红巨星,光芒也不是高温的蓝白色。等资料出来再说,电脑正在查寻它的资料库。”
经过几秒钟的沉默后,崔维兹说:“光谱型为G 2。”他又顿了一会儿,才继续说下去。“直径,一百四十万公里——质量,端点星之阳的一点零二倍——表面温度,绝对温标六千度——自转速率缓慢,周期接近三十天——没有异常活动或不规则的变化。”
裴洛拉特说:“这些不都是拥有可住人行星的典型条件吗?”
“很典型,”崔维兹一面说,一面在昏暗中点着头。“因此符合我们对地球之阳的预期。如果生命的确源自地球,地球之阳就树立了最初的典范。”
“所以说,周围有颗可住人行星的机会相当大。”
“我们不必臆测这一点。”崔维兹的声音有些困惑,“根据银河舆图的记载,它有颗拥有人类生命的行星——可是后面加了一个问号。”
裴洛拉特的兴致越来越高。“那正是我们预期的情况,葛兰。那里的确有颗住人行星,可是那神秘的力量企图掩盖这个事实,因此有关资料模糊不清,使电脑舆图制作者无法确定。”
“不,令我不安的就是这点。”崔维兹说:“那并非我们应当预期的结果,我们应当预期的是更极端的情况。想想看,地球的相关资料被清除得多彻底,制图者不该知道那行星系有生命存在,更别提人类生命。他们甚至不该知道地球之阳的存在,外世界全都不在舆图中,地球之阳为何会被收录呢?”
“嗯,无论如何,它就是在那里。这是事实,何必质疑呢?那颗恒星还有没有其他资料?”
“有个名字。”
“啊!叫什么?”
“阿尔发。”
顿了顿之后,裴洛拉特热切地说:“那就对了,老友,那是最后一个小小的佐证——想想它的含意。”
“它有什么含意吗?”崔维兹说:“对我而言,它只是个名字,而且还是个古怪的名字,听来不像是银河标准语。”
“的确不是银河标准语,它是地球的一种史前语言。宝绮思的行星叫作盖娅,也是源自这种语言。”
“那么,阿尔发是什么意思?”
“那个古老的语言,第一个字母叫‘阿尔发’,这是最可靠的史前知识片断之一。在遥远的古代,阿尔发有时用来代表第一件事物,如果某个太阳被命名为阿尔发,就意味着它是第一个太阳。第一个太阳难道不就是人类最初的行星——地球所环绕的恒星吗?”
“你确定?”
“绝对确定。”裴洛拉特说。
“在早期的传说中——毕竟你是神话学家——有没有提到地球之阳有什么很特殊的性质?”
“没有,怎么会呢?根据定义,它应该是最标准的,而电脑告诉我们的那些特征,我猜想再标准不过了。到底是不是?”
“我想地球之阳应该是颗单星?”
裴洛拉特说:“嗯,当然啦!据我所知,所有的住人世界环绕的都是单星。”
“这点我早就该想到。”崔维兹说:“问题是,显像屏幕中央那颗恒星并非单星,而是一对双星。双星之中较后的那颗的确很标准,电脑提供我们的就是有关它的资料。然而,另有一颗恒星环绕着它,其周期大约是八十年,质量是较后那颗的五分之四。我们无法用肉眼看出它们其实是两颗星,伹若将影像放大,我确定我们就看得出来。”
“你肯定这点吗,葛兰?”裴洛拉特着实吃了一惊。
“这是电脑告诉我的。如果我们眼前是一对双星,那它就不是地球之阳,不可能是。”
71
崔维兹中断了与电脑的接触,舱内顿时大放光明。
这显然就是请宝绮思回来的讯号,菲龙则紧紧跟在她身后。“好啦,结果怎么样?”宝绮思问。
崔维兹以平板的语调说:“多少有些令人失望。在我原本希望找到地球之阳的地方,却出现一对双星。地球之阳是颗单星,所以中央那颗绝对不是。”
裴洛拉特说:“现在怎么办,葛兰?”
崔维兹耸了耸肩。“我原本就没指望在正中央看到地球之阳。即使是外世界人建立的世界,也不会恰好形成完美的球面。奥罗拉——那个最古老的外世界——也可能产生自己的殖民者,这就可能使球面扭曲。此外,地球之阳在太空中的运动速度,也许和外世界的平均速度不尽相同。”
裴洛拉特说:“所以地球可能在任何地方,你是不是这个意思?”
“不,不能说是‘任何地方’。所有可能的误差加起来也不会太大,地球之阳一定位于球心座标附近。我们找的那颗几乎刚好在座标上的恒星,一定是地球之阳的近邻。地球之阳竟然有个如此相似的邻居——唯有它是双星这点例外,这实在令人惊讶,伹事实一定是如此。”
“不过,这样的话,我们应该能在舆图上看到地球之阳,对不对?我的意思是——在阿尔发的附近?”
“不能,因为我确定地球之阳根本不在舆图上。就是由于这个缘故,我们最初找到阿尔发的时候,我才会感到信心动摇。不论它和地球之阳有多接近,光凭它被收录在舆图中这一点,就让我怀疑它不是真货。”
“好吧,那么,”宝绮思说:“何不将注意力集中到真实太空的这组座标上?然后,如果发现有颗明后的恒星接近中心,可是不在电脑舆图中,又如果这颗恒星的性质和阿尔发非常相近,却是一颗单星,那它不就是地球之阳吗?”
崔维兹叹了一口气。“如果一切如你所说,我愿意拿我的一半财产打赌,赌你所说的恒星就是地球这颗行星的太阳。可是,现在我又有些犹豫,不想验证这个假设。”
“因为你可能失败?”
崔维兹点了点头。“不过,”他说:“给我一点时间喘口气,我会强迫自己去做。”
正当三个大人面面相觑之际,菲龙走近电脑桌面,好奇地瞪着上面的手掌轮廓。她的手向那个轮廓探去,崔维兹赶紧伸出手臂格开,同时厉声道:“不准乱碰,菲龙。”
小索拉利人似乎吓了一跳,立坑阢进宝绮思温暖的臂膀中。
裴洛拉特说:“我们必须面对现实,葛兰。如果你在太空中什么也没找到,那该怎么办?”
“那我们将被迫着拾原先的计划,”崔维兹说:“一一去造访其他四十七个外世界。”
“万一那样也一无所获呢,葛兰?”
崔维兹心烦意乱地摇了摇头,仿佛要阻止那种想法在脑中生根。他低头看了看自己的膝盖,突然冒出一句:“那时我会再想别的办法。”
“可是如果根本没有先人的世界呢?”
听到这个女高音般的声音,崔维兹猛然抬起头,“谁在说话?”
这其实是多此一问,他很快便想到发问者是谁。
“我说的。”菲龙答道。
崔维兹望着她,微微皱起眉头。“你听得懂我们的谈话吗?”
菲龙说:“你们在寻找先人的世界,可是你们还没找到,也许根本没有一个世界。”
“‘那个’世界。”宝绮思轻声纠正她。
“不,菲龙,”崔维兹以严肃的口吻说:“是有人花了很大工夫将它藏起来。如此努力隐藏一样东西,意味着那样东西必须隐藏起来。你了解我的意思吗?”
“我懂。”菲龙说:“就像你不让我碰桌上的手影,这就意味着碰一碰会很有趣。”
“啊,但不是给你碰的,菲龙——宝绮思,你在制造一个怪物,她会把我们全毁了。除非我坐在电脑前面,否则再也别让她进来;即使我在电脑前,也请你凡事先想想好吗?”
这段小插曲似乎驱走了他的优柔寡断。“显然,我最好现在就开始工作。假如我只是坐在这里,无法决定该怎么做,那小丑怪马上就会接管这艘太空船。”
舱内灯光立刻变暗,宝绮思压低声音说:“答应我,崔维兹,她在附近的时候,别称她怪物或丑怪。”
“那就好好盯牢她,教她应有的礼节。告诉她小孩不该跟大人讲话,还要尽量少在大人面前出现。”
宝绮思皱起眉头。“你对小孩子的态度实在太过分了,崔维兹。”
“或许吧,不过现在不是讨论这个问题的时候。”
然后,他以满意与宽心的语调说:“那是真实太空中的阿尔发——在它的左侧,稍微偏上的位置,是一颗几乎同样明后、并未收录在银河舆图中的恒星。我敢拿我所有的财产打赌,那就是地球之阳。”
72
“好啦,”宝绮思说:“即使你输了,我们也不会拿走你任何财产,所以何不直截了当找出答案?一旦能进行跃迁,我们就立刻造访那颗恒星。”
崔维兹摇了摇头。“不——这次并非由于犹豫或恐惧,而是为了小心谨慎。我们造访了三个未知的世界,三次都遭到始料未及的危险,而且三次都被迫匆匆离去。这次是最紧要的关键,我不要再盲目行事,至少在能力范围内要尽量避免。直到目前为止,我们知道的只是有关放射性的含混传说,那根本不够。但是绝不会有人料到,在距离地球约一秒差距的地方,竟然有颗拥有人类生命的行星……”
“阿尔发周围,真有一颗拥有人类生命的行星吗?”裴洛拉特问道:“你说电脑在后面打了个问号。”
“即使如此,”崔维兹说:“也值得我们试一试。为什么不去瞧瞧呢?倘若上面果真住有人类,我们就去问问他们对地球了解多少。毕竟,对他们而言,地球不是传说中遥不可及的世界,而是他们的近邻,在他们的天空,地球之阳一定既明后又耀眼。”
宝绮思以深思熟虑的口吻说:“这个主意不坏。我突然想到,如果阿尔发拥有一个住人世界,居民又不是你们这种典型的孤立体,那么他们也许很友善,我们就有可能获得一些美食换换口味。”
“还能结识一些和蔼可亲的人,”崔维兹说:“别忘了这一点。你同意这样做吗,詹诺夫?”
裴洛拉特说:“由你决定,老弟。不论你到哪里,我一定奉陪。”
菲龙突然问道:“我们会不会找到健比?”
宝绮思赶紧抢在崔维兹前面回答:“我们会找找看,菲龙。”
于是崔维兹说:“那就这么决定了,向阿尔发前进。”
73
“两颗大星星。”菲龙指着显像屏幕说。
“没错,”崔维兹说:“有两颗——宝绮思,切记要看好她,我不想让她乱碰任何东西。”
“她对机械装置很着迷。”宝绮思说。
“是啊,我知道,”崔维兹说:“可是我不敢领教——不过老实告诉你,看到显像屏幕上两颗恒星同时闪耀,我倒是跟她一样着迷。”
那两颗恒星的确相当灿烂,几乎呈圆盘状,两者皆如此。屏幕早已自动增强过滤密度,用来消除“硬辐射”并减低星光后度,以避免对视网膜构成伤害。结果,屏幕上只剩下少数几颗后星,那对双星则以高傲而近乎孤立的王者姿态高挂天际。
“事实上,”崔维兹说:“我以前从未如此接近一个双星系。”
“没有?”裴洛拉特声音中透出几许讶异,“怎么可能呢?”
崔维兹哈哈大笑。“虽然我在太空中来来去去,詹诺夫,但我并非你想像中的那种银河游侠。”
裴洛拉特说:“在我遇到你之前,葛兰,我从来没到过太空。但我总是认为,任何人只要上了太空……”
“就什么地方都会去。我了解,那是很自然的想法。足不离地的人最大的问题,就是不论理智如何说服他们,他们仍然无法想像银河的实际大小。即使我们在太空旅行一辈子,银河绝大多数地方还是碰不到。此外,根本没有人去过双星系。”
“为什么?”宝绮思皱着眉头说:“比起遍游银河的孤立体,我们盖娅上的人对天文学知道不多,可是在我的印象中,双星似乎并不罕见。”
“的确如此。”崔维兹说:“其实说起来,双星的数量比单星还多。不过,两颗靠得很近的恒星生成之后,会害得行星无法循一般过程形成。双星拥有的行星物质比单星少,即使双星系中有行星形成,通常轨道也不太稳定,极少出现适于住人的行星。
“早期的星际探险者,我猜想,一定在近距离研究过许多双星。可是一段时日后,为了殖民的目的而探索时,他们的目标便仅限于单星。当然啦,一旦银河到处遍布殖民世界,几乎所有的星际旅行都和贸易或交通有关,而且一律在单星的住人世界间进行。在军事活动频仍时期,我想,假如某对双星刚好具有战略地位,有时会在环绕双星之一的小型、无人居住的世界上设立据点。可是随着超空间旅行渐趋完善,那样的据点也就变得没必要了。”
裴洛拉特虚心地说:“真不敢想像我有多么孤陋寡闻。”
崔维兹只是咧嘴微笑。“别被我唬到了,詹诺夫。我在舰队的时候,听过无数过时军事战术的演讲,根本没有人计划或意图使用那些战术,讨论它们纯粹是一种传统,我只不过随便卖弄了点——话说回来,你懂得那么多神话学、民俗学,以及古代语文,这些我都一窍不通,只有你和少数专家才懂。”
宝绮思说:“没错,但那两颗恒星的确构成一个双星系,其中之一的轨道上却有颗住人行星。”
“我们希望是这样,宝绮思。”崔维兹说:“凡事皆有例外,再加上标了一个正式的问号,就使它更加令人费解——不行,菲龙,那些按钮不是玩具——宝绮思,要不就用手铐把她铐起来,要不就带她出去。”
“她不会弄坏任何东西。”宝绮思虽然在为菲龙辩护,仍将那索拉利小孩拉到自己身边。“如果你对那颗可住人行星这么有兴趣,我们还在这儿等什么?”
“原因之一,”崔维兹说:“这是人之常情,我想乘机在近距离观察一下双星系。此外,谨慎也是人之常情,我自然不例外。正如我已解释过的,自从我们离开盖娅后,没有一件事不让我变得更小心谨慎。”
裴洛拉特说:“这两颗恒星哪颗是阿尔发,葛兰?”
“我们不会迷路的,詹诺夫。电脑清楚究竟哪颗是阿尔发,因此我们也知道。它是温度较高、颜色较黄的那颗,因为它的体积比较大。而右侧的那颗,则发出明显的橙色光芒,有点像奥罗拉的太阳,如果你还记得。你注意到了吗?”
“经你这么一提醒,我就注意到了。”
“很好,它是较小的那颗。你提到的那种古老语言,第二个字母是什么?”
裴洛拉特想了一下,然后说:“贝它。”
“那就让我们称橙色的恒星为贝它,称黄白色的恒星为阿尔发,我们现在的目标正是阿尔发。”
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执笔之间,种种前尘往事,终于散若云烟:阿紫的新文《飞凰引》已完结,豆瓣也能看ヾ(•ω&a ..
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Part Six - Alpha Chapter 16: The Center of the Worlds
69Trevize stared at Pelorat for a long moment, and withan expression of clear displeasure. Then he said, "Is there somethingyou saw that I did not, and that you did not tell me about?""No," answered Pelorat mildly. "You saw it and, as I just said,I tried to explain, but you were in no mood to listen to me.""Well, try again."Bliss said, "Don't bully him, Trevize.""I'm not bullying him. I'm asking for information. And don't youbaby him.""Please," said Pelorat, "listen to me, will you, and not to eachother. Do you remember, Golan, that we discussed early attemptsto discover the origin of the human species? Yariff's project? Youknow, trying to plot the times of settlement of various planets on theassumption that planets would be settled outward from the world of originin all directions alike. Then, as we moved from newer to older planets,we would approach the world of origin from all directions."Trevize nodded impatiently. "What I remember is that it didn't workbecause the dates of settlement were not reliable.""That's right, old fellow. But the worlds that Yariff was workingwith were part of the second expansion of the human race. By then,hyperspatial travel was far advanced, and settlement must have grown quiteragged. Leapfrogging very long distances was very simple and settlementdidn't necessarily proceed outward in radial symmetry. That surely addedto the problem of unreliable dates of settlement.
"But just think for a moment, Golan, of the Spacer worlds. Theywere in the first wave of settlement. Hyperspatial travel was lessadvanced then, and there was probably little or no leapfrogging. Whereasmillions of worlds were settled, perhaps chaotically, during the secondexpansion, only fifty were settled, probably in an orderly manner, inthe first. Whereas the millions of worlds of the second expansion weresettled over a period of twenty thousand years; the fifty of the firstexpansion were settled over a period of a few centuries almostinstantaneously, in comparison. Those fifty, taken together, shouldexist in roughly spherical symmetry about the world of origin.
"We have the co-ordinates of the fifty worlds. You photographed them,remember, from the statue. Whatever or whoever it is that is destroyinginformation that concerns Earth, either overlooked those co-ordinates, ordidn't stop to think that they would give us the information we need. Allyou have to do, Golan, is to adjust the co-ordinates to allow for thelast twenty thousand years of stellar motions, then find the center ofthe sphere. You'll end up fairly close to Earth's sun, or at least towhere it was twenty thousand years ago."Trevize's mouth had fallen slightly open during the recital and ittook a few moments for him to close it after Pelorat was done. He said,"Now why didn't I think of that?""I tried to tell you while we were still on Melpomenia.""I'm sure you did. I apologize, Janov, for refusing to listen. Thefact is it didn't occur to me that " He paused in embarrassment.
Pelorat chuckled quietly, "That I could have anything of importanceto say. I suppose that ordinarily I wouldn't, but this was somethingin my own field, you see. I am sure that, as a general rule, you'd beperfectly justified in not listening to me.""Never," said Trevize. "That's not so, Janov. I feel like a fool,and I well deserve the feeling. My apologies again and I must nowget to the computer."He and Pelorat walked into the pilot-room, and Pelorat, as always,watched with a combination of marveling and incredulity as Trevize'shands settled down upon the desk, and he became what was almost a singleman computer organism.
"I'll have to make certain assumptions, Janov," said Trevize, ratherblankfaced from computer-absorption. "I have to assume that the firstnumber is a distance in parsecs, and that the other two numbers are anglesin radians, the first being up and down, so to speak, and the other,right and left. I have to assume that the use of plus and minus in thecase of the angles is Galactic Standard and that the zero-zzzzzzzzz markis Melpomenia's sun.""That sounds fair enough," said Pelorat.
"Does it? There are six possible ways of arranging the numbers, fourpossible ways of arranging the signs, distances may be in light-yearsrather than parsecs, the angles in degrees, rather than radians. That'sninety-six diferent variations right there. Add to that, the point thatif the distances are light-years, I'm uncertain as to the length of theyear used. Add also the fact that I don't know the actual conventionsused to measure the angles from the Melpomenian equator in one case,I suppose, but what's their prime meridian?"Pelorat frowned. "Now you make it sound hopeless.""Not hopeless. Aurora and Solaria are included in the list, and Iknow where they are in space. I'll use the co-ordinates, and see ifI can locate them. If I end up in the wrong place, I will adjust theco-ordinates until they give me the right place, and that will tell mewhat mistaken assumptions I am making as far as the standards governingthe co-ordinates are concerned. Once my assumptions are corrected,I can look for the center of the sphere.""With all the possibilities for change, won't it make it difficultto decide what to do?""What?" said Trevize. He was increasingly absorbed. Then, whenPelorat repeated the question, he said, "Oh well, chances are that theco-ordinates follow the Galactic Standard and adjusting for an unknownprime meridian isn't difficult. These systems for locating points in spacewere worked out long ago, and most astronomers are pretty confident theyeven antedate interstellar travel. Human beings are very conservativein some ways and virtually never change numerical conventions once theygrow used to them. They even come to mistake them for laws of nature,I think. Which is just as well, for if every world had its ownconventions of measurement that changed every century, I honestly thinkscientific endeavor would stall and come to a permanent stop."He was obviously working while he was talking, for his words camehaltingly. And now he muttered, "But quiet now."After that, his face grew furrowed and concentrated until, afterseveral minutes, he leaned back and drew a long breath. He said quietly,"The conventions hold. I've located Aurora. There's no question aboutit. See?"Pelorat stared at the field of stars, and at the bright one near thecenter and said, "Are you sure?"Trevize said, "My own opinion doesn't matter. Thecomputer is sure. We've visited Aurora, after all. We haveits characteristics its diameter, mass, luminosity, temperature,spectral details, to say nothing of the pattern of neighboring stars. Thecomputer says it's Aurora.""Then I suppose we must take its word for it.""Believe me, we must. Let me adjust the viewscreen and the computercan get to work. It has the fifty sets of co-ordinates and it will usethem one at a time."Trevize was working on the screen as he spoke. The computer worked inthe four dimensions of space-time routinely, but, for human inspection,the viewscreen was rarely needed in more than two dimensions. Now thescreen seemed to unfold into a dark volume as deep as it, was tall andbroad. Trevize dimmed the room lights almost totally to make the viewof star-shine easier to observe.
"It will begin now," he whispered.
A moment later, a star appeared then another thenanother. The view on the screen shifted with every addition so that allmight be included. It was as though space was moving backward from theeye so that a more and more panoramic view could be taken. Combine thatwith shifts up or down, right or left Eventually, fifty dots of light appeared, hovering in three-dimensionalspace.
Trevize said, "I would have appreciated a beautiful sphericalarrangement, but this looks like the skeleton of a snowball that hadbeen patted into shape in a big hurry, out of snow that was too hardand gritty.""Does that ruin everything?""It introduces some difficulties, but that can't be helped, Isuppose. The stars themselves aren't uniformly distributed, and certainlyhabitable planets aren't, so there are bound to be unevennesses in theestablishment of new worlds. The computer will adjust each of thosedots to its present position, allowing for its likely motion in thelast twenty thousand years even in that time it won't mean muchof an adjustment and then fit them all into a `best-sphere.' Itwill find a spherical surface, in other words, from which the distanceof all the dots is a minimum. Then we find the center of the sphere,and Earth should be fairly close to that center. Or so we hope. Itwon't take long."70It didn't. Trevize, who was used to accepting miraclesfrom the computer, found himself astonished at how little time ittook.
Trevize had instructed the computer to sound a soft, reverberatingnote upon deciding upon the co-ordinates of the best-center. There wasno reason for that, except for the satisfaction of hearing it and knowingthat perhaps the search had been ended.
The sound came in a matter of minutes, and was like the gentlestroking of a mellow gong. It swelled till they could feel the vibrationphysically, and then slowly faded.
Bliss appeared at the door almost at once. "What's that?" she asked,her eyes big. "An emergency?"Trevize said, "Not at all."Pelorat added eagerly, "We may have located Earth, Bliss. That soundwas the computer's way of saying so."She walked into the room. "I might have been warned."Trevize said, "I'm sorry, Bliss. I didn't mean it to be quite thatloud."Fallom had followed Bliss into the room and said, "Why was there thatsound, Bliss?""I see she's curious, too," said Trevize. He sat back, feelingdrained. The next step was to try the finding on the real Galaxy, tofocus on the coordinates of the center of the Spacer worlds and see if aG-type star was actually present. Once again, he was reluctant to takethe obvious step, unable to make himself put the possible solution tothe actual test.
"Yes," said Bliss. "Why shouldn't she? She's as human as we are.""Her parent wouldn't have thought so," said Trevize abstractedly. "Iworry about the kid. She's bad news.""In what way has she proven so?" demanded Bliss.
Trevize spread his arms. "Just a feeling."Bliss gave him a disdainful look, and turned to Fallom. "We are tryingto locate Earth, Fallom." ,"What's Earth?""Another world, but a special one. It's the world our ancestors camefrom. Do you know what the word `ancestors' means from your reading,Fallom?""Does it mean   ?" But the last word was not inGalactic.
Pelorat said, "That's an archaic word for `ancestors,' Bliss. Our word`forebears' is closer to it.""Very well," said Bliss, with a sudden brilliant smile. "Earth is theworld where our forebears came from, Fallom. Yours and mine and Pel'sand Trevize's.""Yours, Bliss and mine also." Fallom sounded puzzled. "Bothof them?""There's just one set of forebears," said Bliss. "We had the sameforebears, all of us."Trevize said, "It sounds to me as though the child knows very wellthat she's different from us."Bliss said to Trevize in a low voice, "Don't say that. She must bemade to see she isn't. Not in essentials.""Hermaphrodism is essential, I should think.""I'm talking about the mind.""Transducer-lobes are essential, too.""Now, Trevize, don't be difficult. She's intelligent and humanregardless of details."She turned to Fallom, her voice rising to its normal level. "Thinkquietly about this, Fallom, and see what it means to you. Your forebearsand mine were the same. All the people on all the worlds many,many worlds all had the same forebears, and those forebears livedoriginally on the world named Earth. That means we're all relatives,doesn't it? Now go back to our room and think of that."Fallom, after bestowing a thoughtful look on Trevize, turned and ranoff, hastened on by Bliss's affectionate slap on her backside.
Bliss turned to Trevize, and said, "Please, Trevize, promise me youwon't make any comments in her hearing that will lead her to think she'sdifferent from us."Trevize said, "I promise. I have no wish to impede or subvert theeducational procedure, but, you know, she is different from us.""In ways. As I'm different from you, and as Pel is.""Don't be na飗e, Bliss. The differences in Fallom's case aremuch greater.""A little greater. The similarities are vastly moreimportant. She, and her people, will be part of Galaxia some day, anda very useful part, I'm sure.""All right. We won't argue." He turned to the computer with clearreluctance. "And meanwhile, I'm afraid I have to check the supposedposition of Earth in real space.""Afraid?""Well," Trevize lifted his shoulders in what he hoped was ahalf-humorous way, "what if there's no suitable star near the place?""Then there isn't," said Bliss.
"I'm wondering if there's any point in checking it out now. We won'tbe able to make a Jump for several days.""And you'll be spending them agonizing over the possibilities. Findout now. Waiting won't change matters."Trevize sat there with his lips compressed for a moment, then said,"You're right. Very well, then here goes."He turned to the computer, placed his hands on the handmarks on thedesk, and the viewscreen went dark.
Bliss said, "I'll leave you, then. I'll make you nervous if Istay." She left, with a wave of her hand.
"The thing is," he muttered, "that we're going to be checking thecomputer's Galactic map first and even if Earth's sun is in the calculatedposition, the map should not include it. But we'll then "His voice trailed off in astonishment as the viewscreen flashedwith a background of stars. These were fairly numerous and dim, with anoccasional brighter one sparkling here and there, well scattered overthe face of the screen. But quite close to the center was a star thatwas brighter than all the rest.
"We've got it," said Pelorat jubilantly. "We've got it, old chap. Lookhow bright it is.""Any star at centered co-ordinates would look bright," said Trevize,clearly trying to fight off any initial jubilation that might proveunfounded. "The view, after all, is presented from a distance of a parsecfrom the centered co-ordinates. Still, that centered star certainly isn'ta red dwarf, or a red giant, or a hot blue-white. Wait for information;the computer is checking its data banks."There was silence for a few seconds and then Trevize said,"Spectral class G-2." Another pause, then, "Diameter, 1.4 millionkilometers mass, 1.02 times that of Terminus's sun surfacetemperature, 6,000 absolute rotation slow, just under thirtydays no unusual activity or irregularity."Pelorat said, "Isn't all that typical of the kind of star about whichhabitable planets are to be found?""Typical," said Trevize, nodding in the dimness. "And, therefore,what we'd expect Earth's sun to be like. If that is where life developed,the sun of Earth would have set the original standard.""So there is a reasonable chance that there would be a habitableplanet circling it.""We don't have to speculate about that," said Trevize, who soundedpuzzled indeed over the matter. "The Galactic map lists it as possessinga planet with human life but with a question mark."Pelorat's enthusiasm grew. "That's exactly what we would expect,Golan. The life-bearing planet is there, but the attempt to hide thefact obscures data concerning it and leaves the makers of the map thecomputer uses uncertain.""No, that's what bothers me," said Trevize. "That's not what we shouldexpect. We should expect far more than that. Considering the efficiencywith which data concerning Earth has been wiped out, the makers of themap should not have known that life exists in the system, let alonehuman life. They should not even have known Earth's sun exists. TheSpacer worlds aren't on the map. Why should Earth's sun be?""Well, it's there, just the same. What's the use of arguing thefact? What other information about the star is given?""A name.""Ah! What is it?""Alpha."There was a short pause, then Pelorat said eagerly, "That's it,old man. That's the final bit of evidence. Consider the meaning.""Does it have a meaning?" said Trevize. "It's just a name to me,and an odd one. It doesn't sound Galactic.""It isn't Galactic. It's in a prehistoric language ofEarth, the same one that gave us Gaia as the name of Bliss's planet.""What does Alpha mean, then?""Alpha is the first letter of the alphabet of that ancientlanguage. That is one of the most firmly attested scraps of knowledgewe have about it. In ancient times, `alpha' was sometimes used to meanthe first of anything. To call a sun `Alpha,' implies that it's thefirst sun. And wouldn't the first sun be the one around which a planetrevolved that was the first planet to bear human life Earth?""Are you sure of that?""Absolutely," said Pelorat.
"Is there anything in early legends you're the mythologist,after all that gives Earth's sun some very unusual attribute?""No, how can there be? It has to be standard by definition, and thecharacteristics the computer has given us ate as standard as possible,I imagine. Aren't they?""Earth's sun is a single star, I suppose?"Pelorat said, "Well, of course! As far as I know, all inhabited worldsorbit single stars.""So I would have thought myself," said Trevize. "The trouble isthat that star in the center of the viewscreen is not a single star,it is a binary. The brighter of the two stars making up the binary isindeed standard and it is that one for which the computer supplied uswith data. Circling that star with a period of roughly eighty years,however, is another star with a mass four-fifths that of the brighterone. We can't see the two as separate stars with the unaided eye, butif I were to enlarge the view, I'm sure we would.""Are you certain of that, Golan?" said Pelorat, taken aback.
"It's what the computer is telling me. And if we are looking at abinary star, then it's not Earth's sun. It can't be."71.
Trevize broke contact with the computer, and the lightsbrightened.
That was the signal, apparently, for Bliss to return, with Fallomtagging after her. "Well, then, what are the results?" she asked.
Trevize said tonelessly, "Somewhat disappointing. Where I expectedto find Earth's sun, I found a binary star, instead. Earth's sun is asingle star, so the one centered is not it."Pelorat said, "Now what, Golan?"Trevize shrugged. "I didn't really expect to see Earth's suncentered. Even the Spacers wouldn't settle worlds in such a way as toset up an exact sphere. Aurora, the oldest of the Spacer worlds, mighthave sent out settlers of its own and that may have distorted the sphere,too. Then, too, Earth's sun may not have moved at precisely the averagevelocity of the Spacer worlds."Pelorat said, "So the Earth can be anywhere. Is that what you'resaying?""No. Not quite `anywhere.' All these possible sources of error can'tamount to much. Earth's sun must be in the vicinity of theco-ordinates. The star we've spotted almost exactly at the co-ordinatesmust be a neighbor of Earth's sun. It's startling that there should bea neighbor that so closely resembles Earth's sun except for beinga binary but that must be the case.""But we would see Earth's sun on the map, then, wouldn't we? I mean,near Alpha?""No, for I'm certain Earth's sun isn't on the map at all. It was thatwhich shook my confidence when we first spied Alpha. Regardless of howmuch it might resemble Earth's sun, the mere fact that it was on themap made me suspect it was not the real thing.""Well, then," said Bliss. "Why not concentrate on the same co-ordinatesin real space? Then, if there is any bright star close to the center,a star that does not exist in the computer's map, and if it is verymuch like Alpha in its properties, but is single, might it not beEarth's sun?"Trevize sighed. "If all that were so, I'd be willing to wager halfmy fortune, such as it is, that circling that star you speak of wouldbe the planet Earth. Again, I hesitate to try.""Because you might fail?"Trevize nodded. "However," he said, "just give me a moment or two tocatch my breath, and I'll force myself to do so."And while the three adults looked at each other, Fallom approachedthe computer-desk and stared curiously at the handmarks upon it. Shereached out her own hand tentatively toward the markings, and Trevizeblocked the motion with a swift outthrusting of his own arm and a sharp,"Mustn't touch, Fallom."The young Solarian seemed startled, and retreated to the comfort ofBliss's encircling arm.
Pelorat said, "We must face it, Golan. What if you find nothing inreal space?""Then we will be forced to go back to the earlier plan," said Trevize,"and visit each of the forty-seven Spacer worlds in turn.""And if that yields nothing, Golan?"Trevize shook his head in annoyance, as though to prevent that thoughtfrom taking too deep a root. Staring down at his knees, he said abruptly,"Then I will think of something else.""But what if there is no world of forebears at all?"Trevize looked up sharply at the treble voice. "Who said that?" heasked.
It was a useless question. The moment of disbelief faded, and he knewvery well who the questioner was.
"I did," said Fallom.
Trevize looked at her with a slight frown. "Did you understand theconversation?"Fallom said, "You are looking for the world of forebears, but youhaven't found it yet. Maybe there isn't no such world."" Any such world," said Bliss softly.
"No, Fallom," said Trevize seriously. "There has been a very bigeffort to hide it. To try so hard to hide something means there issomething there to hide. Do you understand what I am saying?""Yes," said Fallom. "You do not let me touch the hands on the deck.
Because you do not let me do that means it would be interesting totouch them.""Ah, but not for you, Fallom. Bliss, you are creating a monsterthat will destroy us all. Don't ever let her in here unless I'm at thedesk. And even then, think twice, will you?"The small byplay, however, seemed to have shaken him out of hisirresolution. He said, "Obviously, I had better get to work. If I justsit here, uncertain as to what to do, that little fright will take overthe ship."The lights dimmed, and Bliss said in a low voice, "You promised,Trevize. Do not call her a monster or a fright in her hearing.""Then keep an eye on her, and teach her some manners. Tell her childrenshould be never heard and seldom seen."Bliss frowned. "Your attitude toward children is simply appalling,Trevize.""Maybe, but this is not the time to discuss the matter."Then he said, in tones in which satisfaction and relief were equallyrepresented, "There's Alpha again in real space. And to its left,and slightly upward, is almost as bright a star and one that isn't inthe computer's Galactic map. That is Earth's sun. I'llwager all my fortune on it."72"Well, now," said Bliss, "we won't take any part ofyour fortune if you lose, so why not settle the matter in a forthrightmanner? Let's visit the star as soon as you can make the Jump."Trevize shook his head. "No. This time it's not a matter ofirresolution or fear. It's a matter of being careful. Three times we'vevisited an unknown world and three times we've come up against somethingunexpectedly dangerous. And three times, moreover, we've had to leavethat world in a hurry. This time the matter is ultimately crucial andI will not play my cards in ignorance again; or at least in any moreignorance than I can help. So far, all we have are vague stories aboutradioactivity, and that is not enough. By an odd chance that no one couldhave anticipated, there is a planet with human life about a parsec fromEarth ""Do we really know that Alpha has a planet with human life on it?" putin Pelorat. "You said the computer placed a question mark after that.""Even so," said Trevize, "it's worth trying. Why not take a look atit? If it does indeed have human beings on it, let us find out what theyknow about Earth. For them, after all, Earth is not a distant thing oflegend; it is a neighbor world, bright and prominent in their sky."Bliss said thoughtfully, "It's not a bad idea. It occurs to me thatif Alpha is inhabited and if the inhabitants are not your thoroughlytypical Isolates, they may be friendly, and we might be able to get somedecent food for a change.""And meet some pleasant people," said Trevize. "Don't forget that. Willit be all right with you, Janov?"Pelorat said, "You make the decision, old chap. Wherever you go,I will go, too."Fallom said suddenly, "Will we find Jemby?"Bliss said hastily, before Trevize could answer, "We will look forit, Fallom."And then Trevize said, "It's settled then. On to Alpha."73"Two big stars," said Fallom, pointing to the viewscreen.
"That's right," said Trevize. "Two of them. Bliss, do keep aneye on her. I don't want her fiddling with anything.""She's fascinated by machinery," said Bliss.
"Yes, I know she is," said Trevize, "but I'm not fascinated by herfascination. Though to tell you the truth, I'm as fascinated asshe is at seeing two stars that bright in the viewscreen at the sametime."The two stars were bright enough to seem to be on the point of showinga disc each of them. The screen had automatically increasedfiltration density in order to remove the hard radiation and dim thelight of the bright stars so as to avoid retinal damage. As a result,few other stars were bright enough to be noticeable, and the two thatwere reigned in haughty near-isolation.
"The thing is," said Trevize, "I've never been this close to a binarysystem before.""You haven't?" said Pelorat, open astonishment in his voice. "How isthat possible?"Trevize laughed. "I've been around, Janov, but I'm not the Galacticrover you think I am."Pelorat said, "I was never in space at all till I met you, Golan, butI always thought that anyone who did manage to get into space ""Would go everywhere. I know. That's natural enough. The troublewith planet-bound people is that no matter how much their mind may tellthem otherwise, their imaginations just can't take in the true size ofthe Galaxy. We could travel all our lives and leave most of the Galaxyunpenetrated and untouched. Besides, no one ever goes to binaries.""Why not?" said Bliss, frowning. "We on Gaia know little astronomycompared to the traveling Isolates of the Galaxy, but I'm under theimpression that binaries aren't rare.""They're not," said Trevize. "There are substantially more binariesthan there are single stars. However, the formation of two stars in closeassociation upsets the ordinary processes of planetary formation. Binarieshave less planetary material than single stars do. Such planets as doform about them often have relatively unstable orbits and are very rarelyof a type that is reasonably habitable.
"Early explorers, I imagine, studied many binaries at close range but,after a while, for settlement purposes, they sought out only singles. And,of course, once you have a densely settled Galaxy, virtually all travelinvolves trade and communications and is carried on between inhabitedworlds circling single stars. In periods of military activity, I supposebases were sometimes set up on small, otherwise-uninhabited worldscircling one of the stars of a binary that happened to be strategicallyplaced, but as hyperspatial travel came to be perfected, such bases wereno longer necessary."Pelorat said humbly, "It's amazing how much I don't know."Trevize merely grinned. "Don't let that impress you, Janov. WhenI was in the Navy, we listened to an incredible number of lectures onoutmoded military tactics that no one ever planned, or intended to use,and were just talked about out of inertia. I was just rattling off a bitof one of them. Consider all you know about mythology, folklore,and archaic languages that I don't know, and that only you and a veryfew others do know."Bliss said, "Yes, but those two stars make up a binary system andone of them has an inhabited planet circling it.""We hope it does, Bliss," said Trevize. "Everything has itsexceptions. And with an official question mark in this case, which makesit more puzzling. No, Fallom, those knobs are not toys. Bliss,either keep her in handcuffs, or take her out.""She won't hurt anything," said Bliss defensively, but pulled theSolarian youngster to herself just the same. "If you're so interestedin that habitable planet, why aren't we there already?""For one thing," said Trevize, "I'm just human enough to want tosee this sight of a binary system at close quarters. Then, too, I'mjust human enough to be cautious. As I've already explained, nothinghas happened since we left Gaia that would encourage me to be anythingbut cautious."Pelorat said, "Which one of those stars is Alpha, Golan?""We won't get lost, Janov. The computer knows exactly which one isAlpha, and, for that matter, so do we. It's the hotter and yellower ofthe two because it's the larger. Now the one on the right has a distinctorange tinge to its light, rather like Aurora's sun, if you recall. Doyou notice?""Yes, now that you call it to my attention.""Very well. That's the smaller one. What's the second letterof that ancient language you speak of?"Pelorat thought a moment, and said, "Beta.""Then let's call the orange one Beta and the yellow-white one Alpha,and it's Alpha we're heading for right now."
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